Monrovia—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has imposed a $15,000 fine on Lonestar Cell MTN for failing to comply with environmental noise pollution regulations. The penalty follows ongoing complaints from residents living near the company’s generator installation site in Monrovia.
By: Yawah Y. Jaivey
During a press conference held Friday at the EPA’s headquarters in Mamba Point, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo explained that the fine was issued under Section 42 of Liberia’s Environmental Protection and Management Law. Investigations revealed that Lonestar Cell MTN had not fully implemented the environmental mitigation measures recommended by the agency.
Dr. Yarkpawolo disclosed that on April 8, 2025, the EPA issued a public statement giving the company ten days to address the concerns raised by affected residents.
In response, the company wrote back on April 18, claiming compliance and stating it had resolved issues with the primary complainant. However, subsequent investigations from April 7 to 24 indicated otherwise.
According to him, the investigation uncovered several violations, including the relocation of a generator without EPA approval.
Noise level assessments at the site showed that the remaining generators emitted noise exceeding permissible limits—reaching as high as 84.6 decibels during both day and night, far above the EPA’s maximum allowable limit of 60 decibels for residential and industrial zones.
Dr. Yarkpawolo said further findings revealed that Lonestar Cell MTN had failed to install effective silencers on its generators, and the existing silencers were deemed inadequate.
The company also did not extend exhaust stacks to the mandated height of 25 feet, resulting in configurations inconsistent with EPA standards. Additionally, there was no evidence that personal protective equipment (PPE) was provided for generator operators or security personnel, and a formal relocation plan had not been submitted.
Also, Dr. Yarkpawolo ordered Lonestar Cell MTN to pay the $15,000 fine within 72 hours into a designated government account at the Liberia Revenue Authority. The company is also required to implement all outstanding mitigation measures within two weeks.
The EPA stated it will continue monitoring the situation closely, warning that failure to comply could result in further penalties, including additional fines or the complete shutdown of the generators.
The EPA chief emphasized the importance of environmental compliance and urged all companies operating in Liberia to adhere strictly to the Environmental Protection and Management Law to safeguard community health and safety.
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