Liberia: EPA Denies Reports of Vehicle Purchases Above Legal Spending Limit

Monrovia – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has refuted claims that it purchased vehicles above the US$45,000 threshold permitted by public procurement laws, describing a recent report by FrontPage Africa as misleading and inaccurate.

The FrontPage Africa article, citing the report of the Senate Committee on Autonomous Agency, alleged that the EPA acquired a Toyota Land Cruiser for US$78,000 and another vehicle for US$46,000, reportedly intended for use by senior officials at the agency.

However, in a formal response issued last week, the EPA clarified that no personal or official vehicle has been purchased above the regulatory limit of US$45,000 under the administration of Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo.

The agency confirmed it is currently in the process of acquiring five vehicles as part of a fleet upgrade, with full compliance to the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) regulations. The vehicles were procured through transparent processes, including public bidding, vendor vetting, selection, and contract execution.

Summary of vehicles purchased:

One 30-seated Toyota bus – US$78,000

Two Toyota Land Cruisers – US$44,000 each, totaling US$88,000

One Toyota Prado – US$45,000

One 17-seated staff bus (from Alliance Motor Corporation) – US$38,500

The EPA emphasized that only the 30-seated bus exceeded the US$45,000 threshold, as it falls under a separate procurement category (public transport vehicle), not subject to the same cap as standard official vehicles.

According to the EPA, 60 percent of the total payment has already been made, with three vehicles — the Toyota Prado, one Toyota Land Cruiser, and the 30-seated bus — already delivered. The final Land Cruiser will be handed over upon payment of the remaining 40 percent.

Vehicle assignment clarified

In addressing speculation over use, the agency noted that the Toyota Prado has been assigned to the Deputy Executive Director, who previously had no official vehicle. Meanwhile, Executive Director Dr. Yarkpawolo continues to use a Toyota Hilux pickup inherited from the previous administration. The EPA said these decisions were based on operational needs and followed proper asset management guidelines.

The EPA reiterated its commitment to transparency, fiscal discipline, and full adherence to Liberian procurement laws.

“For the record, all purchases followed due process, and none of the vehicles classified for official use exceeded the spending limit,” said the agency in its statement.