GBARNGA — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has ordered the immediate closure of St. Moses Funeral Parlor in Gbarnga, Bong County, for multiple environmental violations discovered during an ongoing nationwide environmental compliance assessment.
The funeral home, located in the Green Farm, New Iron Gate Community, was shut down after EPA inspectors found that it had allegedly continued operations without obtaining the required environmental permit, despite receiving several non-compliance notices in 2023 for its activities at branches across Liberia.
According to the EPA, the institution failed to comply with national environmental regulations even after repeated warnings.
During the inspection, the General Manager of the Bong County branch, Augustine Kemocai, who reportedly took office in 2024, told inspectors he was unaware of the earlier notices issued against the institution. Assistant Manager Joseph Holder also claimed he had no knowledge of previous enforcement actions.
However, EPA inspectors later contacted the funeral home’s central management office in Monrovia during an on-site conference. The agency said senior officials acknowledged being aware of the matter but failed to take corrective actions, a situation inspectors described as a deliberate and coordinated failure to comply with environmental laws.
The EPA enforcement team, led by Inspector General R. Baiyezinah Brown, subsequently issued additional non-compliance notices against the institution. The violations cited include operating without an environmental permit, operating without chemical importation authorization, failure to register chemicals, and improper handling and use of chemicals.
Following the enforcement action, EPA authorities ordered all staff members to vacate the premises, and the facility was closed pending full compliance with Liberia’s environmental laws and regulations.
The EPA said the action underscores its commitment to enforcing the Environmental Management Law of Liberia and ensuring that all institutions and individuals operate within the country’s environmental regulatory framework, regardless of their status or sector.
