Top: Acting EPA Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo (Left). The DayLight/ Esau J. Farr
By Esau J. Farr
MONROVIA – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined two companies and shut down another for violations of the Environmental Protection and Management Law.
East International Construction Company, which builds roads, got the lion’s share of the fines.
“East International is hereby fined US$55,000 to be paid in Government Revenue at the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) with an official receipt presented to the EPA,” Acting EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Yarkpawolo told a news conference on Tuesday.
An EPA investigation found East International operates under an expired environmental permit, Yarkpawolo said. Investigators also found the company liable for air pollution over its construction of the Roberts International Airport Highway.
“Some people reported respiratory problems such as coughing and asthma as the major health issues affecting them,” Yarkpawolo said. He ordered East International to follow the law.
The EPA shut down Fengshou International, an affiliate of East International.
Yarkpawolo said the company would remain closed “until a more sustainable method is approved by the EPA.”
The company unsustainably backfilled and was constructing a two-kilometer road on a portion of the Marshall Wetland in Margibi County, protected under a UN convention. The EPA also found that Fengshou extended its rock quarrying into the wetland and constructed a rock sale point there without authorization.
East International and Fengshou did not immediately respond to queries.
Wetlands
The EPA says it was taking wetlands’ protection seriously, and citizens closest to the mangroves.
“In the coming days, the EPA will conduct a thorough engagement with relevant institutions of government and other stakeholders to curtail the upsurge in the wave of wetland degradations,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said.
“Recent complaints and EPA field assessment reports have highlighted massive clearing of mangroves along the Police Academy SKD Boulevard, as well as backfilling activities, including Pago’s Island, New Matadi Fanti Town, Dixville, Jacob Town, etc,” Yarkpawolo said.
The EPA called on the media to help in providing public awareness and asked the public to cooperate with the agency in protecting wetlands.
“The EPA will be engaging with relevant law enforcement authorities to arrest all violators,” Yarkpawolo added.
Earlier, the EPA ordered Quezp Mining Corporation Inc. to pay nearly US$16,000 for illegal sand mining activities in Brewerville and Royesville. A DayLight investigation showed that Quezp did not have licenses for the operations. The company’s mineworkers fled the area after the publication.
The EPA fined Quezp US$2,999 for mining without an environmental permit. It mandated the company to restore the environment it disturbed in the two communities with a US$12,999 plan.
Yarkpawolo said that the fines must be paid in three days after official communication with Quezp.
Terrence Collins, Quezp’s owner and CEO, did not respond to queries for comments on the matter.