Monrovia – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted its year-end ceremony, celebrating significant strides in its restoration and development efforts throughout 2024. During the event, Executive Director Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo reflected on the agency’s progress and the challenges it faced under his leadership.
The EPA had been grappling with financial instability, outdated infrastructure, and a demoralized workforce following the tenure of previous leadership. Yarkpawolo, who assumed office earlier this year, revealed that the agency had been plagued by a disorganized financial system and the wrongful dismissal of staff.
“When we came into office, the EPA was in crisis,” Yarkpawolo remarked. “We inherited an agency with missing financial records and a severely undermined workforce.”
A key discovery under the new leadership was the absence of crucial financial records from 2018 to 2023. Additionally, a review conducted with the Presidential Transition Team revealed that only 20% of the EPA’s five-year strategic plan had been implemented, raising concerns about the agency’s capacity to meet its objectives.
Despite these setbacks, Yarkpawolo’s leadership initiated swift reforms. Key staff were reappointed, new office equipment was acquired, and vehicles were secured for field operations. Over the course of the year, the EPA processed more than 300 Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and issued 214 environmental permits.
“Our goal has been to rebuild the agency and restore its capacity to protect Liberia’s environment,” Yarkpawolo noted. “While challenges remain, we are on the right path.”
As part of its expansion efforts, the EPA opened new offices in Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Rivercess, and Montserrado counties, with plans to expand further next year.
On the international stage, Yarkpawolo highlighted Liberia’s participation in key environmental forums, including COP16 in Colombia and a climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. However, he acknowledged that financial constraints had limited the country’s full participation in global climate discussions.
“While we have been present at key forums, our inability to meet financial commitments has been a setback,” he stated.
Looking forward, the EPA plans to implement its new five-year strategic plan for 2025–2029, which will focus on environmental education, climate change adaptation, and natural resource management. The plan, estimated to cost $32 million, is designed to enhance the agency’s capacity to address Liberia’s pressing environmental challenges.
“We have made tremendous progress, but we need continued support from the government and the people to realize our vision for a sustainable Liberia,” Yarkpawolo emphasized.
During the program, the EPA Workers Union expressed gratitude to the Executive Director for his exemplary leadership and the positive transformation he has brought to the institution.
“We’re really grateful to Dr. Yarkpawolo. Since he became the Executive Director, things have not been the same. We are witnessing total transformation,” a union representative stated.
The year-end event was attended by government officials from the Executive and Legislative branches, members of the EPA Policy Council and Governing Board, senior management, and the agency’s workforce.
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