In a decisive step to reshape Liberia’s land governance landscape and improve land services across the country, a high-level delegation from the Liberia Land Authority, headed by Chairman Samuel F. Kpakio, convened talks with EPA Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, and his technical team at the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency/EPA.
A key focus of the meeting was the shared goal of accessing global funding sources, such as the GEF-9 program. During the discussion, the two leaders agreed to work together to secure funding to promote meaningful reforms in the land sector.
Chairman Kpakio, in a statement, described the meeting as the optimal approach to foster effective collaboration and achieve tangible outcomes that would benefit the public.
The engagement, widely praised as a positive step forward for both institutions, marks the beginning of a results-driven partnership focused on unlocking critical funding opportunities, strengthening land tenure security, enhancing land service delivery, and ensuring vigilant oversight of wetlands across the county. The two leaders during the discussion frowned on individuals building structures without approval from the relevant authorities.
However, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building a practical and lasting bridge between their institutions, one that not only mobilizes resources but also safeguards Liberia’s vital ecosystems, with a particular emphasis on the protection and sustainable management of wetlands.
This, according to Kpakio, is in the right direction to protect lives and properties during the rainy season. At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Yarkpawolo conducted a guided tour of the Agency’s facility. The tour focused on key research laboratories, providing insight into the EPA’s scientific work and its role in advancing environmental stewardship.
