EPA Executive Director Dr. Yarkpawolo Calls for Tougher Controls on Excavators and Dredges Over Environmental Concerns
0888885357
GBARNGA, Bong County – May 24, 2026 – The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has called on the Government of Liberia to introduce strict regulations on the importation and movement of excavators and dredges across the country, warning that their increasing presence is becoming a major threat to the environment.
Dr. Yarkpawolo said the uncontrolled importation of heavy mining equipment is contributing to serious environmental damage in Liberia, including deforestation, soil degradation, and the pollution of rivers and other water sources.
Speaking during a radio interview over the weekend in Gbarnga, the EPA Executive Director expressed concern over the growing number of excavators and dredges entering the country and being transported to forests and mining communities without proper monitoring or oversight.
According to him, the situation has become increasingly alarming, especially with the visible presence of excavators parked along major roads in Monrovia and in several parts of the country.
Dr. Yarkpawolo explained that many miners operating under Class C licenses—who are traditionally expected to use simple tools such as shovels and other small-scale mining equipment—are now renting and operating excavators. He said this practice allows some operators to carry out Class B mining activities without meeting the legal and environmental requirements associated with those operations.
He further noted that excavators and dredges are increasingly being used illegally in forests and river bodies, causing widespread destruction and threatening Liberia’s natural resources.
The EPA Executive Director also disclosed that during a recent environmental monitoring exercise in Gbarpolu County, authorities discovered nearly 19 dredges operating on a single river. He described the discovery as deeply concerning and questioned how such expensive equipment continues to enter remote forest communities without proper monitoring and documentation.
He stressed that excavators and dredges significantly increase the scale and environmental impact of mining operations and should therefore be subjected to tighter national control.
As part of his recommendations, Dr. Yarkpawolo is urging the Liberian Government to establish regulations not only on the importation of excavators and dredges, but also on their movement from one location to another across Liberia.
He proposed that operators transporting such equipment should be required to present valid EPA permits at checkpoints to verify whether the machines are being used for legally approved mining activities and whether they are operating within authorized areas.
Dr. Yarkpawolo warned that unless urgent action is taken, the illegal use and uncontrolled movement of excavators and dredges will continue to destroy Liberia’s forests and weaken ongoing efforts aimed at protecting the country’s environment.
He reaffirmed the EPA’s commitment to strengthening environmental compliance and ensuring that Liberia’s natural resources are protected for future generations.
