Monrovia – The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA), through its Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has announced that a major demolition exercise will begin on Wednesday, April 16, targeting individuals, communities, institutions, and businesses illegally occupying or operating within the Montserrado Wetland.
The operation will affect structures and activities in areas including Tyler Island and nearby communities along SKD Boulevard and the Jacob Town Community.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Dr. Yarkpawolo said the demolition is part of a broader effort to safeguard Liberia’s wetlands, including the protection of mangroves and aquatic habitats that are crucial for biodiversity and climate resilience.
“The public is hereby informed, especially those likely to be affected, that a scheduled demolition operation will commence on April 16, 2025, in joint coordination with the Liberia National Police, the Ministry of Public Works, the Paynesville City Corporation, the Ministry of Justice, and other government institutions,” Dr. Yarkpawolo announced.
He revealed that verified inspections and satellite assessments conducted by the EPA have uncovered ongoing illegal backfilling, construction, and settlement expansion within the wetlands ecosystem—activities that are in direct violation of the Environmental Protection and Management Law (EPML) of Liberia and the Ramsar Convention, to which Liberia is a signatory.
“Despite repeated warnings and engagement efforts by our environmental inspectors, these violations have continued. Therefore, under Sections 6, 74, and 75 of the EPML, and Liberia’s obligations under the Ramsar Convention, the EPA hereby orders an immediate halt to all activities within the affected wetland areas,” he declared.
Dr. Yarkpawolo said affected individuals have five working days from the issuance of this notice to evacuate and remove any materials from the area. Failure to comply, he warned, will result in demolition, the removal of unauthorized structures, the imposition of fines, and potential legal action.
Reaffirming the EPA’s commitment to environmental protection, Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized the importance of wetlands in combating climate change and reducing disaster risk.
“The preservation of wetlands is a critical part of Liberia’s climate resilience strategy and disaster risk reduction efforts,” he added.
Monrovia- The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA), through its Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has disclosed Wednesday, April 16, 2025, for massive demolition of all individuals, communities, institutions, and business entities constructing, residing, operating, or otherwise engaging in activities within the Montserrado Wetland, including but not limited to Tyler Island and adjacent areas along SKD Boulevard, Jacob Town Community.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, the EPA Executive Director said the demolition exercise is part of an effort to safeguard Liberia’s wetlands including the protection of mangroves and aquatic habitats vital for biodiversity.
“The Public is hereby informed, especially those likely to be affected, that a scheduled demolition operation will commence on April 16, 2025, in joint coordination with the Liberia National Police, the Ministry of Public Works, the Paynesville City Corporation, The Ministry of Justice, and other government institutions,” Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo echoed.
According to him, the demolition exercise has come to the EPA’s attention through verified inspection and satellite assessments that there has been ongoing, unauthorized backfilling, alteration, construction, and settlement expansion within this wetland ecosystem.
He said these acts constitute a direct and willful violation of the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia, and international obligations under the RAMSAR convention of which Liberia is a Party.
He stressed that these acts have caused ecological harm, threatening Liberia’s compliance under the Ramsar Convention.
“Despite repeated warnings and engagement efforts by authorized Environmental Inspectors, these violations have persisted. Therefore, under Sections 6, 74, and 75 of the EPML and under Liberia’s obligations under the Ramsar Convention, the EPA hereby declares the Immediate halt of all activities within the affected wetland area; evacuation of persons and removal of materials within five (5) working days upon receipt and hearing of the notice,” EPA Boss asserted.
“Failure to comply will result in enforcement measures including demolition, removal of unauthorized structures, fines, and potential legal prosecution under the EPML and related statutes,” Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo added.
He further reaffirmed the EPA mandate to uphold environmental integrity and protect the rights of all Liberians to a clean, healthy, and ecologically balanced environment.
“The preservation of wetlands is a critical part of Liberia’s climate resilience strategy and disaster risk reduction efforts,” Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo said.