EPA Warns Truck Drivers Against Illegal Backfilling of Wetlands, Continues Demolition Exercises in Monrovia

By Laymah Kollie

Monrovia: The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia has sent out a strong warning to Liberian Truck Drivers against backfilling swamp lands without permit.

During a demolition exercise in Johnsonville and Jacob Town Communities, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo stated that for anyone to dig or excavate land anywhere in Liberia requires environmental permit as well as dumping of dirt in any location requires.

Dr. Yarkpawolo noted that truck drivers do business with construction companies or citizens of constituencies are required to obtain permits from EPA in providing a means for inspection of areas where dirts are excavated and deposited. “We have observed that truck drivers are being used as conduit for the unacceptable practice of backfilling wetlands around the country. Once again, every development needs Environmental Permit”.

EPA boss has echoed calls to the leadership of the Truck Drivers Union of Liberia alongside the Ministry of Transport to join hands in enforcing the EPA rule. “We are calling on the leadership of the Truck Drivers Union and the Ministry of Transport, to help enforce this rule. No truck driver should transport dirt without asking for EPA Permits”

In a related development, EPA has continued its demolition exercise across Monrovia. The demolition started in Kpelleh Town Johnsonville where Chinese developers have allegedly degraded wetlands in the area. This area is on the downside of a number of schools including the Multee International School System.

According to Dr. Yarkpawolo, he initially visited the Chinese national compound and instituted a halt order, but the Chinese continued to backfill at night. “Without regards to the rule of law particularly the Environmental Protection and Management Law Liberia and other relevant laws, the Chinese have backfilled this entire area, significantly altering the geology of this landscape.

We are here to send a strong message that these kinds of behaviors will not go unchecked using the rule of law” he said. Adding, that EPA has not granted permits to Ruixu Commercial Concrete (the Chinese company), “we are enforcing the law by demolishing the structures erected here. By this action, we are warning Liberians and foreigners, particularly our Chinese friends to abide by the laws of Liberia”.

What the law say? Environmental Protection Management Law of Liberia enacted in 2003 puts Wetland, River and Lakes in a conversational category thereby considering them areas of protection. The law mandates that areas such as swamp land are public land and are not to be sold or wrongfully tempered with.

Part VI of the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia chapter on Guidelines and Standards for the Management of the Environment and Natural Resources section 75 talks about Protection of Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands.

 Section 75 of the Environmental Law prohibits any types of draining, blocking, backfilling, or construction in wetlands. Liberia is also a party to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of 1971. This convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

 Background In 2024, statistics from the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) of Liberia revealed that between March to August 2024 Liberia has approximately recorded over 60,000 victims of flood in several communities in three of the countries’ fifteen counties. The counties are Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Montserrado.

The situation has affected over 5,200 households and displaced over 26,000 individuals. The demolition exercises today is in continuation of April 16, 2025, activity carried out by the EPA along the 72nd boulevard.

The exercise is in conjunction with the Executive Order 143: Taskforce Against the Encroachment on Beachfronts, Waterways, established by the President, Ministry of Public Works, Liberia Land Authority, Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Monrovia City Corporation, the Paynesville City Corporation and other line Ministries and Agencies.