The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), recently held a stakeholders’ consultation in Greenville, Sinoe County, to discuss the construction and operation of a coastal revetment under the “Enhancing the Resilience of Vulnerable Coastal Communities Project.” The project, valued at $20.4 million, is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund and co-financed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Liberia. Its primary objective is safeguarding vulnerable coastal communities in Sinoe County from the rising threats posed by climate change, such as rising sea levels and flooding.
The consultation gathered community representatives from Seebeh, Downtown, Mississippi, Bafu Bay, Bannah, Tournata, Nanakru, and Pungbor, as well as local government officials and project team members. The initiative aims to build resilience in these coastal communities, equipping them to handle climate-induced challenges better. Environmental consultants from the Royal Environmental Groups Consultancy Firm, led by international expert Sardar Kakar, oversee the project’s technical aspects. Kakar and his team presented an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) to the EPA to obtain the necessary environmental permits for the project.
During the consultation, Mrs. Frances Brown Seydou, the EPA’s Manager for Intersectoral Coordination, expressed appreciation for the active participation of the local community members. She conveyed greetings from the EPA’s Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, and reassured the participants that the agency was committed to ensuring environmental safety and working collaboratively with stakeholders to protect the region.
Emmanuel Vaye, the Assistant Minister for planning at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, also fully supported the project, encouraging local residents to engage actively in the development process. He emphasized the importance of the coastal revetment project in strengthening the region’s defenses against the impacts of climate change.
Sinoe County’s District #1 Representative, Remeo Quiah, who has a background in environmental leadership, voiced his legislative backing for the coastal revetment project. Reflecting on the project’s origins, Rep. Quiah recalled that discussions on building the coastal revetment began in 2011 during his tenure at the EPA. He urged the community to cooperate with engineers in sourcing local materials for the project and underscored the importance of ensuring that residents benefit from job opportunities and economic development throughout the project’s implementation.
Targen Daye, the Assistant Manager for Environmental, Social, and Impact Assessments at the EPA, also spoke at the event, highlighting the critical role of community involvement in the decision-making process. “We can’t just sit in Monrovia and decide for you. That’s why we are here to hear your perspective,” Daye said, emphasizing the need for transparent communication and addressing any potential negative impacts that may arise during the project’s execution.
