(Monrovia, Liberia – February 14, 2025) – The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has warned Liberians to stop constructing buildings in wetlands and waterways, stressing that such activities contribute to environmental degradation and worsen flooding in urban areas.

Dr. Yarkpawolo made the statement during a panel discussion held at Monrovia City Hall on Thursday as part of activities marking Monrovia Day. He noted that the illegal backfilling of wetlands has become a major environmental challenge, with many people violating existing environmental laws.

“People are building in the wetlands, people are building in the waterways, and people are backfilling wetlands. This is unacceptable,” he said. He explained that despite efforts by the EPA to regulate these activities, enforcement remains a challenge because many people continue to violate stop orders.

To strengthen enforcement, Dr. Yarkpawolo revealed that the EPA has sent a formal communication to the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, requesting police support to enforce environmental stop orders. Additionally, he disclosed that a proposal has been submitted to President Joseph Boakai for the establishment of a National Taskforce on Wetlands to be headed by the EPA.

Beyond wetland encroachments, Dr. Yarkpawolo highlighted the growing threat of coastal erosion in Liberia, describing it as a serious problem that will continue to worsen due to climate change and global warming.

“Whether it is West Point in Monrovia, New Kru Town, Buchanan, Greenville, or Robertsport, all these areas will continue to experience increasing sea erosion,” he warned. He noted that the EPA is working to secure funding for projects aimed at mitigating coastal erosion, including a $20 million coastal defense project to protect West Point.

On solid waste management, Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that the issue has been incorporated into Liberia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), which serve as a framework for attracting international climate funding. He also mentioned that Chapter Five of the Arrest Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) prioritizes environmental issues to ensure a sustainable approach to development.

Dr. Yarkpawolo revealed that in 2024 alone, the EPA brought more than 1,000 violators into compliance and shut down several sites for breaching environmental laws. However, he stressed that enforcement remains a challenge, as some individuals ignore stop orders issued by the agency.

Despite these challenges, he reassured the public that the EPA remains committed to protecting Liberia’s environment and will continue to collaborate with institutions like the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) and the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) to ensure cleaner and safer communities.

“We will continue to support the work of the MCC and PCC so that we can reach a place where our people feel comfortable,” he added.

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