Monrovia – The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has urged environmental evaluators to adopt SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) Environmental Management Plans to ensure effective environmental sustainability.
By Jahiem Tumu [email protected]
Speaking at the opening of the eighth Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Licensure Training, Yarkpawolo emphasized the need for evaluators to maintain integrity, transparency, and accountability in their work, stressing that project developers depend on their expertise to avoid regulatory challenges.
Under the theme “Promoting Environmental Sustainability and Social Equity in Development Projects, Programs, and Policies,” the training aims to provide a uniform reporting format and enhance the capacity of consultancy firms and environmental professionals to adequately assess emerging projects and address potential environmental impacts.
Yarkpawolo highlighted the critical role of evaluators in conducting comprehensive environmental and social impact assessments, monitoring implementations, and reporting findings accurately to the EPA. He noted, “As Environmental Evaluators, you are extensions of the EPA. Without proper training, developers cannot conduct these studies effectively.”
He further explained that quality ESIA processes lead to the development of Environmental Management Plans that mitigate negative impacts and enhance positive outcomes.
“The goal is to use resources sustainably today without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs,” he added.
The EPA Executive Director also reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to supporting Liberian-owned businesses through the government’s Liberianization policy, urging developers to prioritize accredited local firms in their selection process.
Additionally, Dr. Yarkpawolo stressed the importance of merit-based performance, noting that participants must compete for opportunities rather than being directly assigned.
“The responsibility is immense, but we trust you to succeed. Project developers rely on you to properly advise them to avoid issues with the EPA,” he concluded.
EPA Deputy Director Dweh Boley also addressed the training, calling for increased collaboration with the Union of Certified Environmental Professionals of Liberia (UCEL) and encouraging Liberians to protect their environment. “This is your turf, it is yours, you must protect it,” he said.