By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Monrovia – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has served a demolition notice on individuals, business entities, communities and institutions constructing, residing, operating or otherwise engaging in activities on the Montserrado wetland.
EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo named Tyler Island, the adjacent areas along SKD Boulevard and Jacob Town Community are the areas affected by the demolition notice.
“It has come to the attention through verify inspection and satellite assessment that there has been ongoing unauthorized backfilling, construction and settlement expansion within the wetland ecosystem.” Dr. Yarkawolo said.
At a news conference on Tuesday, Dr. Yarkpawolo disclosed that these acts constitute a direct and willful violations of the Environmental Protection and Management Laws of Liberia.
“This act has caused ecological harm including destruction of mangrove and aquatic habitat vital for biodiversity, obstruction of natural waterways and increasing urban flood risks for grater Monrovia, degradation of designated Ramsar wetland of international importance threatening Liberia’s compliance under the Ramsar Convention. He said.
The EPA boss said despite repeated warning and engagement efforts for authorized environmental inspectors, these violations has persisted.
He said “pursuant to sections 6, 74, 75 of the Environmental Protection and Management Laws of Liberia and in accordance with Liberia’s obligation under the Ramsar Convention, the EPA has hereby declared the following immediate halt of all actions in the affected areas, evacuation of persons and removal of materials within five working days upon receipt/hearing of this notice.”
“The public is hereby informed especially those likely to be affected that a scheduled demolition operation will commence on April 16, 2025 in a join coordination with the Liberia National Police, Ministry of Public Works, the Paynesville City Corporation, the Ministry of Justice and other government institutions.” He said.
