By Stephen G. Fellajuah
The Environmental Safety Company (EPA) has reaffirmed its dedication to clear governance, environmental sustainability, and inclusive public engagement, unveiling a complete account of its achievements and future route throughout a high-level media engagement in Monrovia.
The presentation emphasised the vital position of the media in environmental governance, highlighted the institutional positive factors recorded in 2024, outlined strategic priorities for 2025, and charted an bold, transformative agenda for 2026 to strengthen Liberia’s environmental safety framework.
Talking in the course of the EPA’s 2025 Media Engagement held on the Company’s headquarters on December 27, 2025, Government Director Dr. Emmanuel Ok. Urey Yarpkawolo reported a powerful and productive working relationship with the media from 2024 to 2025, stressing that journalists stay indispensable companions in selling environmental schooling, public accountability, and citizen participation.
In keeping with Dr. Yarpkawolo, the EPA’s engagement with the media prolonged throughout social media platforms, print publications, and broadcast shops, complemented by a devoted media coaching workshop geared toward strengthening environmental reporting and sustainability communication, which considerably expanded public consciousness nationwide.
By way of institutional stability, the EPA in 2024 secured the choice to buy and later efficiently concluded the acquisition of its headquarters, together with the land on which its laboratory is located. This milestone, together with the institution of 4 new EPA workplaces and the ratification of a number of worldwide agreements, marked a serious step towards long-term organizational resilience.
Operationally, the Company recorded unprecedented exercise in 2024, conducting 1,463 nationwide inspections, finishing up 197 chemical exams, and reviewing greater than 108 environmental monitoring studies, reflecting intensified compliance monitoring and environmental oversight.
Offering updates for 2025, Dr. Yarpkawolo disclosed that the EPA issued 257 environmental permits, whereas over 70 purposes had been rejected for non-compliance. The Company additionally verified 167 undertaking websites nationwide, performed 34 Environmental and Social Affect Evaluation (ESIA) conferences, and reviewed 248 environmental audit studies.
“Enforcement efforts had been equally strong, with 140 enforcement actions undertaken and imposing over USD303,300 in environmental fines, producing over USD200,000 in income for presidency.
Moreover, 11 new environmental laws had been developed, and the Environmental Safety and Administration Regulation was absolutely enforced, restoring confidence in regulatory oversight,” Dr. Yarkpkawolo instructed the media.
Important progress was additionally recorded in chemical substances and radiation administration, with the EPA issuing over 150 chemical licenses and permits, processing greater than 100 fumigation license purposes, exceeding annual targets by 140 p.c, and conducting 60 environmental investigations throughout the nation.
The Company additional inventoried 25 medical and industrial services for radiation security, accomplished 20 chemical escort operations overlaying greater than 100 containers and vans, accredited 9 analytical laboratories, and absolutely outfitted 1 environmental laboratory and 1 cellular monitoring unit, whereas efficiently remediating or restoring 3 polluted websites.
On local weather motion and innovation, the EPA highlighted investments together with the development of a Local weather Change Laboratory on the College of Liberia, the launch of a Strong Waste-to-Biogas Challenge in Bensonville, the graduation of an Natural Waste Administration Middle in Monrovia, and ongoing coastal protection initiatives in Sinoe County and West Level, alongside securing USD 10 million from GEF-8 and ratifying Biodiversity Past Nationwide Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
Wanting forward, the EPA outlined 5 strategic pillars for 2025 and an bold 2026 imaginative and prescient targeted on turning into a contemporary, science-driven establishment, prioritizing a GIS-integrated compliance laboratory, automated ESIA programs, a strengthened Authorized Division, a possible Environmental Court docket, local weather financing mechanisms, and the enactment of the Nuclear Act of Liberia (2026).
The company careworn that strong public consciousness, pushed by accountable and knowledgeable media, stays central to environmental safety and sustainable improvement. -Edited by Othello B. Garblah.
