Monrovia – Dr. Emmanuel Urey King Yarkpawolo, Acting Executive Director and CEO of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia, has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision on the Writ of Prohibition to resolve the issue of the tenure position between Prof. Wilson K. Tarpeh, Former Acting Executive Director/CEO, and the Government of Liberia.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)[email protected]
On April 24, 2024, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that allows Dr. Yarkpawolo to resume his position as Acting Executive Director and CEO after the court dismissed complaints from Prof. Tarpeh, the former Acting Executive Director and CEO of EPA.
Addressing journalists at the Ministry of Information, Cultural and Tourism (MICAT) Regular Press Briefing on Thursday, May 2, 2024, Dr. Yarkpawolo expressed his appreciation to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the Ministry of Justice, Cllr. Lamii Kpagoi, Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe, EPA staff, and the public for their support during the legal process.
“Immediately after the decision of the Honorable Supreme Court, I resumed work. The EPA has returned to normalcy. Regular work continued even during the issuance of the Writ of Prohibition. The affairs of the EPA were overseen by Mr. Dweh Borley, Acting Deputy Executive Director of the EPA. We appreciate Mr. Borley and the Senior Management at the EPA for their leadership,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said.
Still speaking, the Acting Executive Director of EPA mentioned that a team of engineers has condemned the structure of the EPA Central Office on 4th Street, Tubman Boulevard, in Sinkor.
He added, “Since 2003, the EPA has been occupying the 4th Street Central Office Building. Presently, the EPA is searching for a new office complex to relocate. Once we can identify a new building complex and sign a lease agreement with the involvement of GSA, the EPA will relocate.”
Dr. Yarkpawolo also addressed the issue of illicit and unregulated black sand mining, which he says continues to degrade the environment in Liberia. According to him, he has gathered information on Black Sand Mining in Royesville, Montserrado County, Marshall Wetlands, Margibi County, Rivercess County, and other places in the country.
“As you are aware, the Cabinet had placed a ban on black sand mining due to the alarming rate of destruction and degradation of the environment. The EPA will conduct additional research on black sand, leading to the formulation of policies, guidelines, and regulations to ensure sustainable harvesting of black sand. Once these policies, guidelines, and regulations are completed, the moratorium will be lifted,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said.
He also called on the International Auditing Agency to conduct a full-scale audit of the previous EPA team before his tenure.
“We are in the process of sending a letter to the Internal Auditing Agency (IAA) to commence an audit at the EPA,” the Acting Executive Director and CEO of the Environmental Protection Agency stated.
Dr. Yarkpawolo also outlined what he termed as his 100 deliverables. He mentioned that the EPA had established county offices in four counties, namely Rivercess, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, and Montserrado.
“On Friday, May 3, 2024, the EPA will officially launch its 100-day deliverables in Bentol, Montserrado County. The program will be attended by county leadership, international organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. The establishment of county offices aims to complete the decentralization process at the EPA and fulfill our statutory mandate to protect and manage the environment,” he said.
Additionally, Dr. Yarkpawolo announced that an Environmental Policy Council had been constituted by President Boakai. The Council, he said, is chaired by Commerce Minister Amin Modad.
“The Council will meet from May 3-4, 2024, at Farmington Hotel, Margibi County. The meeting will serve as an orientation for council members. The agenda will include the recruitment of the Executive Director of the EPA in fulfillment of their statutory mandate outlined in the Act Creating the EPA 2002,” he said.