MONROVIA – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) and private partners has signed a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to kickoff a major pilot program aimed at fixing Monrovia’s persistent solid waste management challenges.
By Francis G. Boayue
The initiative, dubbed the Solid Waste Management Transformative Pilot Project (SWMPP), is a collaborative effort designed to “strengthen coordination, enhance efficiency, and introduce innovative approaches” to the city’s waste collection, transfer and disposal.
The signing ceremony, which was held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) solidified a partnership between the lead institution, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and critical stakeholders including the MCC, the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA), the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), and a network of Community-Based Enterprises (CBEs).
The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, speaking during the program, said for years solid waste management in Monrovia has been plagued by limited collection capacity and weak institutional collaboration.
According to him, the project is expected to tackle organic waste which could be used as a resource to provide natural fertilizer and also contribute to the cleanliness of the environment.
Also speaking, Madam Vermon Sangah Lloyd—representing the MRV Climate Action Solid Waste Team and the Government of Canada said this transformative pilot seeks to reverse that trend by establishing a “structured, transparent, and results-driven” model that integrates public, private, and community actors.
She said the MOU is being hailed as a symbol of “collective commitment” to strengthening institutional cooperation, clearly defining roles and responsibilities, and promoting accountability in service delivery.
“The Canadian-Government-backed SWMPP has three primary goals: Boost Efficiency: Improve waste collection and disposal within targeted markets and communities through better stakeholder coordination and also enhance Synergy: Foster stronger institutional harmony and accountability among the MCC, EPA, LWSC, and LMA to align waste management with environmental and urban sanitation standards, and Empower Communities: Strengthen the role of Community-Based Enterprises (CBEs) in waste collection, thereby promoting job creation, inclusive participation, and long-term sustainability,” Mrs. Lloyd asserted.
According to her, upon successful implementation, the project is expected to yield stronger institutional coordination, increased public awareness and behavioral change toward proper waste handling, and, most importantly, a replicable model that can be scaled up across other Liberian cities.
The MRV Climate Action SWMPP team expressed sincere gratitude to all partners for their dedication during the design and consultation phases, signaling a unified front in the battle against urban blight.
Also speaking on behalf of the MCC, Deputy City Mayor and City Manager Jones N. Williams, lauded the initiative turning it massive in contributing to the cleanliness of Monrovia.
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
