—Experts Demand Urgent Legislative Action
Monrovia, Liberia – The Environmental Eyes Consultancy and Advocacy Firm Inc. (EECADF) has alarmed over what it describes as “severe environmental degradation and land damage” caused by unregulated mining activities in Grand KruCounty. In a formal communication to the Grand KruLegislative Caucus, the group is calling for immediate intervention, citing findings from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that reveal multiple violations of Liberia’s environmental and mining laws.
According to EECADF, companies including MK Group, Babygirl Creek Mining, GMGC Mining Company, and Scott Investment are carrying out operations without valid EPA permits, leaving behind un-rehabilitated mining pits, destroying forests, polluting rivers, and disregarding the rights of local communities. One of the most alarming cases involves the pollution of the Dugbo Creek, a critical water source for rural communities, which has been contaminated with mining sludge. Communities in Gbanken Town, Dweken, and Philadelphia in Grand Kru County have also reported land degradation, water contamination, and the displacement of livelihoods such as fishing and farming.
The EPA’s findings, cited in EECADF’s appeal, point to widespread deforestation, habitat destruction, and a lack of proper consultation with affected residents. These activities, the group warned, have resulted in food insecurity, increased risk of waterborne diseases, decreased ecosystem resilience, and growing tensions between mining companies and communities.
“The environmental situation in Grand Kru County is urgent and demands proactive and decisive intervention,” wrote Matthew Sjeh Wissel, Executive Director of EECADF. “As the direct representatives of the people, the Grand Kru Legislative Caucus holds the responsibility to defend your constituents’ land, water, and health.”
EECADF’s letter outlined a set of six urgent recommendations, including the suspension of all non-compliant mining operations, convening an emergency legislative caucus hearing on environmental compliance, legislating mandatory site rehabilitation requirements, and enforcing community benefit agreements. The group also urged the Caucus to demand full publication of environmental assessments and to allocate funding for a County Environmental Watchdog Committee to strengthen local oversight.
The advocacy group emphasized that failure to act swiftly could undermine the government’s RESCUE Agenda for Prosperity and Development, warning that the environmental footprint of these unregulated activities threatens the long-term development prospects of Grand Kru County.
EECADF reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with lawmakers, local authorities, and communities to facilitate fact-finding missions, hold public awareness sessions, and push for policy reforms that prioritize environmental justice and sustainable development.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the regulatory Institution of the Government of Liberia for the sustainable management of the environment and its natural resources. The Agency was established by an act of the Legislature November 26, 2002 and published into hand bill on April 30, 2003.
The EPA operates on three basic legal Instruments: The National Environmental Policy (NEP), The Environmental Management and Protection Law of Liberia and the Act Creating the Environmental Protection Agency. Of these three instruments, the National Environmental Policy ordered the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure sound environmental management and put in place measure to avoid irreparable damage to the country’s natural resources.
The NEP seeks to harmonize cross cutting functions between and amongst agencies. The NEP seeks to ensure long-term economic prosperity of Liberia through sustainable social and economic development of the generation without endangering the potential of future generation. The objective of the NEP is to improve the physical environment, the quality of life and the improvement of economic and social living condition of the citizenry present and future generations. It also seeks to ensure reconciliation and coordination between economic development and growth with the sustainable management of the natural resources.
A National Environmental Policy provides a broad framework for the implementation of national objectives and plans. The Environmental Protection and Management Law (EPML) of Liberia establishes a legal framework for the sustainable development, management and protection of the environment by the Environment Protection Agency in partnership with regulatory Ministries and organizations and in a close and responsive relationship with the people of Liberia; and to provide high quality information and advice on the state of the environment and for matters connected therewith.
