– As VP Koung Dedicates New Headquarters
By Vaye A. Lepolu |
Monrovia: In a historic milestone for environmental governance in Liberia, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially opened its new national headquarters and a cutting-edge environmental laboratory in Mamba Point, Monrovia. The event, held on July 23, 2025, formed part of the country’s 178th Independence Day celebrations and marked a bold step toward modernizing environmental protection and climate action in Liberia.
Speaking at the occasion, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo praised the government for its support, attributing the milestone to strong leadership from President Joseph N. Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung.
“We are entering a new era of accountability and innovation,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said. “Under this administration, institutions like the EPA are no longer just regulators—we are changemakers, solution seekers, and stewards of Liberia’s environmental future.”
The newly commissioned building, situated in the heart of Mamba Point, replaces rented offices that Dr. Yarkpawolo said were inadequate and failed to meet the very environmental standards the EPA is mandated to uphold. He revealed that the EPA Board of Directors has already approved the purchase of both the new headquarters and the adjacent property now housing Liberia’s first-ever state-of-the-art environmental laboratory.
The $100,000 laboratory is designed to conduct advanced scientific testing, including forensic environmental analysis—work that previously required outsourcing to foreign laboratories at high cost and delay.
Dr. Yarkpawolo also highlighted progress in Liberia’s efforts to enter the global carbon market. With support from international partners such as the Coalition for Rainforest Nations, UNDP, and Novasphere, Liberia is currently undertaking detailed forest carbon inventories. These are essential for the country’s participation in carbon trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
“You can’t sell what you don’t know you have,” he stated. “By understanding our carbon stock, we can negotiate better deals and attract financing to support national development, including the ARREST Agenda and our updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0).”
The EPA has already drafted a national carbon market policy, which was recently reviewed by the National Climate Change Steering Committee. Once finalized, it is expected to lay the foundation for a transparent, equitable, and impactful carbon credit system for Liberia.
Before concluding, Dr. Yarkpawolo invited the EPA’s lead scientist, Mr. Rafael Ngumbu, to give guests a guided tour of the laboratory and demonstrate its testing capabilities.
The event closed with resounding applause, as guests and dignitaries praised the EPA for delivering on its mandate with tangible, forward-looking results.
“May we continue to build institutions that deliver for the people and protect the planet for generations to come,” Dr. Yarkpawolo concluded.
Meanwhile the vice president of the Republic of Liberia Jeremiah K. Koung Grace the occasion,In a landmark moment for Liberia’s environmental sector, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung officially opened the new headquarters and modern scientific laboratory of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Mamba Point, declaring it a “new chapter in Liberia’s environmental governance.”
Addressing a gathering of government officials, development partners, civil society, and media representatives, the Vice President lauded the milestone as a pivotal step in aligning the country’s development agenda with sustainable practices.
“This is not just the opening of a building,” VP Koung emphasized. “It marks the beginning of a future built on integrity, science, and national pride — one that places environmental protection at the core of national development.”
For years, the EPA operated under less-than-ideal conditions, split between two rented buildings in Sinkor, which ironically failed to meet the environmental standards the agency was established to enforce. VP Koung acknowledged the challenges this posed, stating that the situation affected the agency’s effectiveness and credibility. “That had to change — and today, I am proud to say that change has come,” he declared.
The newly renovated headquarters, upgraded at a cost of nearly USD 75,000, meets international environmental, safety, and accessibility standards. It is seen as a reflection of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development championed by the administration, which links environmental stewardship with national growth.
In addition to the headquarters, a state-of-the-art scientific laboratory has been unveiled — a long-awaited development in the EPA’s institutional history. With nearly USD 100,000 invested, the facility is equipped to conduct vital environmental analyses including air and water quality monitoring, coastal erosion assessments, and climate data tracking.
“This laboratory is more than just a room with equipment,” VP Koung said. “It is a cornerstone of evidence-based policymaking and a key instrument in fulfilling Liberia’s obligations under the Paris Agreement.”
He further praised the EPA’s Senior Management Team, led by Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, for their leadership in driving the project forward, and affirmed government support for constructing a permanent climate-resilient headquarters powered by renewable energy within the next three to five years.
Calling on all line ministries and agencies to collaborate closely with the EPA, the Vice President reminded attendees that environmental protection goes beyond ecosystems: “It is about people — farmers, coastal communities, and our children — and about building a resilient nation where growth is balanced with responsibility.”
The event concluded with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting as VP Koung officially declared the new EPA Headquarters and Laboratory open, reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to environmental excellence and sustainable development.
