NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has purchased its permanent headquarters and the land hosting its environmental laboratory for US$800,000, describing the acquisition as a major milestone in strengthening the institution’s long-term capacity and financial sustainability.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
The property, located along Sekou Toure Avenue in Mamba Point, comprises approximately 1.8 lots and houses the EPA’s headquarters, a modern environmental laboratory, a generator house, warehouse, parking area, renewable energy infrastructure and other supporting facilities.
According to the EPA, the purchase price includes all applicable taxes and administrative fees.
The Agency said the property was acquired below its appraised market value, noting that three independent assessments valued the property at up to US$1.3 million, making the purchase approximately US$500,000 below the lowest assessed value.
The acquisition marks a significant shift from the Agency’s previous operations. When the current administration assumed office in early 2024, the EPA was operating from two rented buildings on Fourth Street in Sinkor, paying approximately US$72,000 annually in rent.
The Agency said it had occupied those facilities for more than 16 years without acquiring ownership and that the buildings had become inadequate for its expanding responsibilities and no longer met the environmental, safety and institutional standards expected of the country’s environmental regulator.
EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo and the Agency’s Senior Management Team concluded that continued spending on rent was not a sustainable long-term strategy.
After reviewing several options, management initially negotiated to lease one of the twin Bright Buildings in Mamba Point at an annual cost of US$85,000.
However, officials determined that renting the property for ten years would cost approximately US$850,000 without providing ownership.
The EPA subsequently negotiated with the property’s seven owners and reached an agreement to purchase the facility for US$800,000.
According to the Agency, the acquisition underwent several layers of review and approval. The EPA Board approved the transaction, while the General Services Agency verified the property’s legal status and confirmed it was free of encumbrances.
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the Ministry of Justice also conducted financial and legal reviews before granting final approval.
The Agency said the purchase was financed through savings generated between 2024 and 2026 by reducing administrative expenditures and tightening operational costs, including lowering some out-of-town daily subsistence allowances below the national rate.
The newly acquired headquarters features approximately 80 offices, three conference rooms, four reception areas, 24 bathrooms, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) laboratory, a library and a parking yard.
The facility is also supported by a 60-kilowatt solar energy system with inverter and battery backup, reducing reliance on fuel-powered generators while improving energy reliability.
In addition, the environmental laboratory includes a smart conference room with virtual classroom technology, office space, workstations and specialized laboratories dedicated to radiation safety, water quality and marine science, as well as instrumental analysis.
EPA said the facilities will strengthen environmental monitoring, pollution investigations, scientific research, radiation safety oversight and evidence-based regulatory enforcement.
The Agency described the acquisition as a long-term investment that replaces recurring rental expenses with permanent government ownership while providing Liberia with a modern environmental headquarters capable of supporting scientific research and environmental governance for decades.
EPA officials said the purchase demonstrates how prudent financial management can transform limited public resources into lasting national assets that strengthen public service delivery and environmental protection.
