Monrovia -The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined the East International Company and the Quetz Mining Company separately and shut down the Fengshou International Company for contravening the EPA Act of 2003.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)[email protected]
Addressing journalists during his first conference at the Head Office of EPA on March 5, 2024, the Acting Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo said that on February 26, 2024, a team of environmental technicians investigated the ongoing construction activities of East International company along the Roberts International Authority Road.
The investigation, he said, was initiated after several complaints and outcries by the public, as well as an invitation extended by The Honorable House of Representatives Joint Committee on Public Works and Rural Development and Health, to address issues relative to toxic dust, which is allegedly causing lung disease and other illnesses along the RIA road project.
According to Dr. Yarkpawolo, the objective of this assessment was to conduct an air quality assessment at random points along the construction area, initiate physical inspections, and gather residents’ views about the dust pollution situation. Findings from the investigation were reported in the following categories, Acting Executive Director of EPA said.
Dr. Yarkpawolo stated that the East International Company was fined for air quality, community survey, operating under an expired environmental permit, air pollution, and failure to regularly suppress dust along the road corridor.
“Findings from the investigation reveal that the East International company’s current EPA permit has expired, and the company has a series of occupational health and safety issues. There is no record of quarterly and terminal monitoring reports submitted by the company to the EPA. The company has not put in adequate personal protective equipment for the workers among other violations,” he said.
Dr. Yarkpawolo added: “East International company emits three times Particulate Matter 2.5 or PM2.5, which is a dust particle that can easily be inhaled and causes some respiratory problems, more than the WHO recommended limit.”
He stressed that 83 percent of the people the EPA interviewed reported that dust occurs constantly in their environment during the afternoon hours. Some people reported respiratory problems such as coughing and asthma as the major health issues affecting them.
“This is a violation of Part III Section 6 of the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia (EPML) and Section 37 of the EPA Act (2003). This is a violation of Part IV Section 36 of the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia. This violates Section 5.2 count 9 of the Environmental permit and is subject to punitive measures consistent with Section 112 of the EPML,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said.
He added: “In lieu of these violations, East International is hereby fined Fifty-five Thousand ($55,000.00) United States Dollars to be paid in Government Revenue at the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) with an official receipt presented to the EPA within 72 hours of the receipt of the official fined letter from the EPA. East International is also requested to renew its expired permit and follow all the environmental protection laws of Liberia.”
Also, the EPA investigation shows that activities of Fengshou International, an affiliate of East International, which operates a rock quarry in Ben’s Town, Margibi County, were in violation of the EPA act.
The findings revealed that Fengshou International backfilled and constructed a 2 km road within the Marshall wetland, extended its rock quarry into the wetland, and backfilled and constructed a rock sale point within the wetland.
“These acts by Fengshou International violate Part VI Section 75 of the EPML, which calls for the protection of rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Consequently, the Fengshou International rock quarry is hereby ordered closed until a more sustainable method is approved by the EPA,” he said.
Adding up, the EPA also investigated the illegal mining of black sand or zircon within the New West Point Community, in Brewerville, Montserrado County. This investigation was predicated upon media alert and a complaint filed at the EPA, relative to the unsustainable mining activities, and its likely impacts of exposure to nearby residents due to the threats of coastal erosion.
“The investigation, which was also initiated on February 26, 2024, by a team of environmental technicians, identified several issues of violations. Findings of the report identified that Quetz Mining Corporation Inc, a company partly owned by a Liberian, is heavily involved in the mining, buying, and processing of zircon at their facility without any authorization from the EPA,” he said.
Dr. Yarkpawolo said those actions by the management of Quetz contravened Part III Section 6 of the EPML and Section 37 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, that is mining without an environmental permit.
The Acting EPA boss asserted: “In lieu of these violations, the Management of Quetz Mining Company, Inc. is hereby fined US$ 2,999.00 to be paid in Government Revenue at the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) with an official receipt presented to the EPA within 72 hours as of the receipt of the official fined letter from the EPA.”
He added: “Moreover, a restoration order with a cost not less than US$12,999.00 will be instituted and communicated to the Management of Quartez mining company.”
