The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that by the second week of May 2026, it will launch a rigorous two-week nationwide environmental compliance monitoring exercise across all fifteen counties.
Speaking Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo disclosed that the initiative is a proactive step to safeguard Liberia’s natural resources and ensure that development across Liberia does not come at the cost of citizens’ health or the future of our environment.
According to him, the EPA technical team will be deployed across the country to verify that projects are adhering strictly to the conditions in their environmental permits, identify and document environmental violations, conduct environmental quality assessments covering water, soil, air, and biodiversity where necessary, and strengthen enforcement presence in remote and high-risk areas.
He said the exercise will focus on high-impact sectors, including mining, agriculture, forestry, large-scale industrial operations, infrastructure projects, and other activities that pose significant risks to ecosystems and communities. He said the monitoring exercise responds to increased illegal mining activities and their threats to water and forest ecosystems, abandoned and degraded sites, rising use of industrial and agricultural chemicals, the need for greater compliance with permit conditions, and resource constraints that have affected routine monitoring.
“It is not merely a documentation exercise; It is an enforcement action where sanctions, closures, fines, restoration orders, or other regulatory measures are necessary; the EPA will act,” he added.
He used the medium to call on all project developers, concessionaires, industrial actors, agricultural operators, mining companies, contractors, and public institutions to ensure their operations are in full compliance with the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia, permit conditions, environmental management plans, and all applicable EPA regulations.
The EPA boss added that the Agency is committed to moving beyond reactive measures to a system of constant and vigilant oversight.
Meanwhile, the EPA also wishes to inform the public that Liberia now has a Noise Pollution Regulation developed through broad consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders, including city governments, religious communities, community leaders, entertainment operators, and the DJ association.
Dr. Yarkpawolo disclosed that the regulation was necessary because excessive noise has become a serious public health, community peace, and environmental quality concern in many parts of Liberia.
He added that noise pollution is not a small matter. “Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can disturb sleep, affect learning, increase stress, contribute to hearing problems, disrupt community life, and create conflict among neighbors. According to him, uncontrolled noise from churches, mosques, bars, entertainment centers, street parties, generators, workshops, vehicles, and public events can undermine the right of citizens to live, worship, work, study, and rest in a safe and peaceful environment.
He said that since the passage of the Noise Pollution Regulation, the EPA has been conducting enforcement actions through its Noise Pollution Taskforce. “These actions have included public awareness, engagement with operators, field inspections, responses to public complaints, and enforcement interventions where violations are identified.”
