Monrovia, Liberia, on the 29th of July, 2022: Less than one month after stakeholders endorsed the Sinoe Coastal Project, the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) has approved the $20,4 million to be implemented jointly by the Government of Liberia and UNDP.
Through the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Liberian government will combat the consequences of sea erosion on the livelihoods, assets, and entire ecosystems of over 16,000 people in coastal towns in Sinoe.
The project, titled “Enhancing the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities in Sinoe County, Liberia,” will be conducted primarily in Greenville, but will also provide microfinance, value addition, and sustainable agriculture in other coastal counties.
Superintendent of Sinoe County Lee Nagbe Chea Sr. emphasized that the project would focus on empowering those who are directly affected by climate change. The inhabitants of Sinoe are anxiously anticipating the project’s favorable outcomes, he added.
Stephen Rodriques, UNDP Resident Representative, reaffirmed the importance of establishing a solid connection with the local community by seeking their complete collaboration and support during the implementation of the project.
“Community involvement is essential for the successful implementation of the project,” said Rodriques. “We look forward to working with the government and county authorities to develop county-level coordination groups to facilitate implementation.”
It is crucial to build long-term integrated and participatory planning that engages the public sector, the commercial sector, and communities at all levels of governance, despite the fact that the project offers feasible options for addressing the effects of climate change.
A 800-meter-long revetment will be built to safeguard Mississippi Street in Greenville, Sinoe County, and a 700-meter-long revetment will be built to preserve the shoreline by minimizing coastal erosion near the entrance where the Sinoe/Sehnkwehn river empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
George Abou Gontor, Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, commended development partners, particularly GEF, for their support of the Sinoe project.
This project will incorporate lessons learned from the implementation of previous initiatives in New Kru Town and Buchanan, which were sponsored by the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Liberia, and other partners.
Randall M. Dobayou, the EPA’s Deputy Executive Director, stated that Liberia’s collaboration with UNDP was extremely helpful to the country.
He stated that the government is committed to protecting its beaches, coastal ecosystems, and the environment from the effects of climate change and other environmental concerns. “Different stakeholder groups, like as youth, women, fisherman, the elderly, etc., must participate continuously in Sinoe County,” stated Dobayou.
The livelihood advantages of the initiative will extend beyond the fishing industry to include agriculture, forestry, and other industries.
