(Monrovia, Liberia, February 17, 2025)– Monrovia Mayor John-Charuk Siafa used his 2025 State of the City Address to commit to a renewed focus on environmental health, promising bold actions to improve sanitation and reduce public health risks across Liberia’s capital.
In his address, delivered at Monrovia City Hall on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at the close of the celebration of Monrovia Day, Mayor Siafa acknowledged the dire environmental challenges that continue to plague the city, including inadequate waste management, unsanitary public spaces, and frequent flooding due to poor drainage systems. However, he emphasized that addressing these issues is at the core of his administration’s mission to make Monrovia a cleaner, healthier place for all residents.
“We can no longer ignore the state of our environment. It affects our children, our communities, and the future of this great city,” said Mayor Siafa. “Environmental health will be our priority this year, and we will work tirelessly to improve sanitation and ensure cleaner streets, safer neighborhoods, and a healthier population.”
Mayor Siafa highlighted several key initiatives aimed at tackling the city’s most pressing environmental concerns. One of the primary focuses is the launch of a comprehensive waste management program that will target illegal dumping and increase the frequency of garbage collection. Additionally, he announced the establishment of more waste transfer stations throughout Monrovia to ensure that waste is processed and disposed of properly.
The Mayor also unveiled plans to expand the city’s mosquito control efforts to combat the spread of malaria, which remains a major public health issue.
He said that includes distributing more mosquito nets to vulnerable communities and increasing regular fumigation in high-risk areas.
“We will also strengthen our public health infrastructure by addressing sanitation in public latrines, street drainage systems, and communal water sources,” Siafa explained. “This will reduce the health risks posed by poor sanitation, and our people will have better access to clean water and safe spaces.”

During a panel discussion held in celebration of Monrovia Day, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also pledged his support to the city’s environmental initiatives.
Dr. Yarkpawolo promised to collaborate closely with both the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) and Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) to improve the environmental health of both cities.
“As we continue our work to address environmental challenges across Liberia, it is essential that we partner with local governments like MCC and PCC to ensure that our environmental programs have the maximum impact,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said. “Together, we will create cleaner, healthier urban spaces that our citizens can be proud of.”
He went on to emphasize the need for joint efforts in tackling the growing waste problem, improving water and sanitation, and ensuring better waste management practices.
The collaboration between the EPA and the city governments is expected to lead to more effective implementation of environmental programs in Monrovia and Paynesville, helping both cities make significant strides in their environmental development.
“Monrovia and Paynesville are two of the most important urban centers in Liberia, and it is our collective responsibility to work together to address the environmental challenges that affect them. The EPA stands ready to assist in any way we can,” Dr. Yarkpawolo added.