MONROVIA — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia, under the leadership of Dr. Emmanuel Urey-Yarkpawolo, has intensified efforts to address environmental violations across the country.
Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo stated that these actions are part of the EPA’s ongoing commitment to enforcing environmental laws and ensuring a safe, healthy environment for all Liberians.
During a press briefing held at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism on Thursday, August 29, 2024, Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo outlined several key interventions recently undertaken by the EPA.
He revealed that on August 28, 2024, the EPA ordered the closure of the China Union Iron Ore Mines in Bong County due to severe environmental violations. The company was found operating without the necessary environmental permits, including an effluent discharge license, and was discharging tailings into a nearby wetland without regulation.
Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo stressed that despite repeated warnings and a fine of USD 120,000 issued by the EPA, China Union continued its operations unlawfully. He emphasized that the EPA’s decision to shut down the mine will remain in place until the company fully complies with the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia.
In another crackdown, Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo reported that the EPA, in collaboration with the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), shut down the Grandma Mineral Water Factory in Paynesville on August 6, 2024.
He stated that a joint inspection revealed the factory was operating without the required permits and producing water in unhygienic conditions, posing a serious public health risk.
Laboratory tests confirmed that the water was unsafe for consumption, leading to the facility’s immediate closure to protect public health.
Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo also mentioned that the EPA, along with the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the National Disaster Management Agency, recently completed an investigation into unusual earth vibrations in Yegbedu Town, Lofa County.
The investigation, prompted by reports from local residents, found that the area’s unstable terrain, exacerbated by deforestation and soil erosion, posed significant long-term risks. The EPA recommended the relocation of the town to prevent potential future disasters.
In a public safety operation, Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo stated that the EPA, with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), successfully disposed of radioactive material discovered at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia.
The material, identified as Cs-137, was found in a disused medical device and was safely removed to prevent any potential harm to the public. The EPA has since enhanced its monitoring of facilities that use radiation sources and conducted training for medical personnel on radiation safety.
Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo reported that the EPA also responded to a chemical spill in the Cavalla River, which occurred on June 23, 2024, after a tailings valve ruptured at Endeavour Mining Plc in Ivory Coast. The spill released toxic mud containing sodium cyanide into the river, which is shared by Liberia.
Despite delayed notification from Ivorian authorities, the EPA swiftly conducted water quality assessments and issued warnings to local communities to avoid using the river water. The EPA is now working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage with Ivory Coast to address the issue.
Additionally, Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo expressed concerns about the overuse of mercury in Liberia’s waterways, particularly in illegal gold mining activities.
He noted that mercury, a highly toxic chemical, poses severe health risks to both humans and wildlife. To combat this, the EPA has increased collaboration with county superintendents to monitor and report environmental violations. The agency is also pushing for Liberia’s ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which would ban the use of mercury in the country and enable cleanup efforts in polluted areas.
Furthermore, the EPA is investigating water contamination in the Nyanfor River in Margibi County, linked to toxic waste from the Lee Group Enterprises’ rubber processing plant in Bong County.
Residents reported severe skin diseases and other health issues, prompting the EPA to conduct water quality tests and a community survey. The EPA’s investigation was prompted by a report from The Liberian Investigator on the operations of Lee Group Enterprises in the area. The report established that the company was discharging wastewater from its facility through a canal into the Nyanfor River, contaminating it with chemicals and raw rubber particles. The river is the only source of basic livelihood for the local communities, who have reported suffering from skin rashes as a result of the polluted water.
Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo stated that the EPA is taking steps to address the pollution and protect the health of the affected communities.
He reaffirmed the EPA’s dedication to enforcing environmental laws and protecting Liberia’s natural resources.
“We are committed to ensuring that all activities in Liberia adhere to environmental regulations to safeguard our environment for current and future generations,” Dr. Urey-Yarkpawolo concluded.
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