Africa-Press – Liberia. The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Environmental Governance Programme (EGP) funded by the Swedish International Development- SIDA has begun the initiation of the EPA of Liberia decentralization process as part of the Government of Liberia 100-day deliverable outlined on January 22, 2024.
As part of efforts to initiate the decentralization of the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia within the 100-day deliverable framework of the Government of Liberia, the EPA will conclude expansion of its visibility across 4 additional counties with the establishment of 4 new county offices- Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu and Rivercess counties and deployment of staff to conduct effective environmental compliance and enforcement monitoring as well as environmental awareness and education activities in the next few weeks. The expansion efforts will help increase the EPA presence to 13 counties across Liberia since the founding of the EPA in 2003. The EPA is visible in Bong, Nimba, Lofa, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Bomi, Grand Gedeh, Sinoe, and Maryland counties.
As part of the decentralization efforts of the EPA, it is also expected that the EPA Policy Council will be constituted during this period.
The decentralization efforts are expected to continue beyond the first 100 days of the Government through the establishment of two (2) additional county offices in River Gee and Grand Kru counties with the deployment of staff and accelerating the establishment of County and District environmental committees.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia will begin an assessment mission from April 10- 12, 2024 covering four (4) counties- Bentol- Montserrado County, Roberts Sport- Grand Cape Mount County, Bopolu- Gbarpolu County and Cestos City- Rivercess County where the agency plans to establish the four(4) new county offices aimed at decentralizing EPA operations and have staff deployed to conduct effective compliance monitoring and enforcement as well as environmental awareness and education. During the assessment mission, the teams are expected to meet with local government officials to discuss the EPA decentralization plan, work out modalities for the establishment of county offices, and as well strengthen coordination between the EPA, local government, sector line Ministries, Agencies & Commissions, and local communities in the promotion of environmental management and governance. The Assessment mission will be followed by technical training for staff expected to be deployed at the 4 new county locations and an official launch of the county offices before the 100-day plan of action by the Government elapses.
The fundamental objective of decentralizing the EPA is premised on localizing decision-making, increasing efficiency and visibility, enhancing accountability and environmental governance, facilitating community engagement, strengthening capacity building, and ensuring effective compliance monitoring and enforcement as well as environmental education.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia was established by an act of the Legislature on November 26, 2002, and published into handbill on April 30, 2003, to serve as the regulatory Institution of the Government of Liberia for the sustainable management of the environment and its natural resources. The EPA operates on three basic legal Instruments: The National Environmental Policy (NEP), The Environmental Management and Protection Law of Liberia, and the Act Creating the Environmental Protection Agency. The Act creating the Agency provides the legal mandates and authority to manage coordinate, monitor, and supervise in consultation with relevant line Ministries, Agencies and organizations, and other relevant stakeholders for the protection of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources.
The Management team of the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia has fully reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to achieving the 100-day deliverables of the Government of Liberia and the decentralization process of the Environmental Protection Agency consistent with the Act that created the agency more than 20 years ago.
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