President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. has praised Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo for what he described as outstanding leadership, calling him “a gift to this nation” during the dedication of the EPA’s new headquarters in Mamba Point on Thursday.
The ceremony also saw the commissioning of a new Elemental Analyzer, donated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which will strengthen the country’s ability to carry out environmental testing and research.
President Boakai said the new headquarters marks an important step for the EPA and for Liberia’s environmental sector.
He noted that buying the property ends years of paying rent and gives the government a permanent asset.
“For this achievement, we appreciate Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo and the EPA Team. Institutions such as the EPA must be hosted in permanent facilities,” President Boakai said.
The President said the government purchased the 1.8-acre property for about US$800,000, including taxes and fees, adding that the amount was below the property’s assessed market value.
He said the building provides the EPA with office space, conference rooms and laboratory facilities needed to carry out its work more effectively.
Boakai also welcomed the arrival of the new Elemental Analyzer, valued at about €100,000, saying it will allow the EPA to test soil, water, plants and other environmental samples in Liberia instead of sending them abroad.
According to the President, the equipment will support research, improve environmental monitoring and help government agencies make better decisions on issues affecting the country’s natural resources.
He thanked the IAEA and other development partners for supporting Liberia’s environmental sector and urged EPA staff to maintain the new facility.
Speaking earlier, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo said the Agency had spent more than 16 years operating from rented buildings while paying about US$72,000 in rent every year.
“For more than sixteen years, the EPA operated from two rented buildings, paying about US$72,000 every year without owning a permanent home. Today, that has changed.”
He said continuing to rent the buildings would have cost the government more than US$1 million over the next ten years without leaving behind a lasting asset.
“The acquisition of this property turns a recurring expense into a permanent public asset and gives the EPA a home that will serve Liberia for generations.”
Dr. Yarkpawolo said the achievement was made possible through the commitment of EPA employees, who supported efforts to reduce costs and make the purchase possible.
“This achievement belongs to the entire EPA family. Our staff made sacrifices, managed resources carefully and remained committed to building a stronger institution.”
The Executive Director said the headquarters has about 80 offices, three conference rooms, four reception areas, a GIS laboratory, a library, warehouse space, staff work areas, parking facilities and a generator house.
He added that the building is powered by a 60-kilowatt solar energy system, reflecting the Agency’s commitment to renewable energy.
Dr. Yarkpawolo also announced plans to expand the EPA’s presence outside Monrovia.
“We have secured three acres of land in Bong County for a regional environmental laboratory, and we are working to establish Environmental Learning Centers in Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, Sinoe and Maryland Counties.”
He said the EPA has also established a National Climate Change Laboratory with support from the Government of Canada, expanded solar power at several public institutions and partnered with the Monrovia City Corporation to operate a US$100,000 organic waste composting facility in Fiamah.
Dr. Yarkpawolo said these projects are aimed at improving environmental protection, expanding scientific research and bringing EPA services closer to communities across Liberia.
