EPA, UNDP Host Training for Mining and Environmental Inspectors

Published: December 3, 2024

GANTA – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched a two-day training workshop aimed at enhancing the skills of Mining and Environmental Inspectors in Liberia. The workshop, taking place in Ganta, Nimba County, has drawn over 200 participants from across the country and is part of the EPA’s Environmental Governance Project (EGP).

Held under the theme “Participatory Environmental Monitoring, Reporting, and Management: Capacity Building of Environmental and Mining Inspectors to Support County Environmental Committees,” the training runs from December 2 to 3, 2024. It seeks to equip inspectors with the knowledge and tools needed to enforce environmental laws, collaborate effectively with communities, and uphold sustainable practices.

Opening the workshop, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo commended UNDP for its unwavering support to the EPA’s initiatives. He emphasized that the training aligns with the EPA’s mission to ensure a clean and healthy environment for Liberians and visitors alike. Describing the workshop as an “investment in human capital,” Dr. Yarkpawolo noted that such initiatives strengthen the inspectors’ ability to maintain environmental standards and address critical issues.

Highlighting the EPA’s progress in enforcing environmental laws, Dr. Yarkpawolo revealed that the agency, through its Inspectorate Department, had imposed fines amounting to more than one million United States dollars on violators in 2024. He called on both Liberians and international visitors to prioritize environmental responsibility, warning that breaking environmental laws is far more costly than adhering to them.

UNDP Energy and Environmental Program Specialist Moses Massah also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the pivotal role of environmental protection in achieving sustainable development. He praised the inspectors for their dedication to safeguarding Liberia’s natural resources and encouraged them to view their work as a significant contribution to the nation’s future rather than merely a job.

Adding his voice, Assistant Minister for Planning, Research, and Development at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Emmanuel Vaye, lauded the EPA and UNDP for organizing the training. He stressed the importance of equipping inspectors with the technical expertise required to effectively perform their roles in ensuring environmental compliance and sustainable resource management.

The training workshop focuses on critical areas such as the roles and responsibilities of County Environmental Committees, the enforcement of regulations governing Class A and B mining operations, and the principles outlined in the Environmental Inspectors’ Manual. Participants are also being introduced to the EPA’s new administrative goals and objectives, as well as the principles of servant leadership.

This initiative is expected to enhance the capacity of environmental and mining inspectors, promote sustainable practices, and foster stronger collaboration among communities, the EPA, and other stakeholders.