President Boakai Dedicates New EPA Headquarters, Praises Dr. Yarkpawolo’s Leadership
By: Emmett Yarsiah Jr.
MONROVIA, Liberia – July 16, 2026 – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has praised the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, describing him as “a gift to this nation” during the official dedication of the Agency’s new permanent headquarters in Mamba Point, Monrovia.
The ceremony, held on Thursday, also featured the commissioning of a new Elemental Analyzer, a modern scientific instrument that will strengthen Liberia’s environmental research, testing, and monitoring capabilities.
President Boakai said the completion of the EPA’s permanent headquarters marks a major milestone in Liberia’s environmental sector and demonstrates responsible leadership and sound management of public resources.
He commended Dr. Yarkpawolo and the EPA management team for transforming the Agency from operating in rented facilities to owning a modern headquarters that will serve the country for many years.
“For this achievement, we appreciate Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo and the EPA Team. Institutions such as the EPA must be hosted in permanent facilities,” President Boakai said.
The President noted that the Government acquired the 1.8-acre property for approximately US$800,000, including taxes and fees, adding that the purchase price was well below the property’s assessed market value.
According to him, the acquisition ends years of spending on rent and converts government expenditure into a permanent national asset.
“The purchase ends the continuous payment of rent and converts public expenditure into a permanent asset,” the President stated.
President Boakai also emphasized that the new headquarters will improve environmental governance by providing modern office space, conference facilities, laboratories, and other infrastructure needed to support the EPA’s growing responsibilities.
A key highlight of the event was the commissioning of the EPA’s Elemental Analyzer, valued at approximately €100,000, which was donated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The President said the equipment will significantly improve Liberia’s ability to analyze soil, water, plants, sediments, and other environmental samples within the country, reducing the need to rely on foreign laboratories.
He added that the analyzer will support researchers, universities, farmers, health professionals, and environmental regulators while strengthening scientific research and evidence-based decision-making.
President Boakai also thanked the IAEA and other international partners for supporting Liberia’s environmental programs and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to environmental protection under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
Earlier, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo reflected on the Agency’s progress, noting that for more than 16 years, the EPA operated from two rented buildings, paying nearly US$72,000 annually without owning any property.
He explained that continuing to rent office space would have cost the government more than US$1 million over the next decade without creating any permanent asset.
“The acquisition of this property converts a recurring expense into a permanent public asset while providing the EPA with a modern institutional home capable of serving Liberia for generations,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said.
He credited EPA staff and management for making sacrifices that helped make the purchase possible, including reducing operational costs and implementing cost-saving measures.
Dr. Yarkpawolo disclosed that the new headquarters includes about 80 offices, three conference rooms, four reception areas, a GIS laboratory, a library, warehouse facilities, staff workspaces, parking areas, and a generator house.
He also highlighted that the building is powered by a 60-kilowatt solar energy system equipped with batteries and inverters, demonstrating the Agency’s commitment to renewable energy and climate resilience.
Looking ahead, Dr. Yarkpawolo announced that the EPA has acquired three acres of land in Bong County for the construction of a regional environmental laboratory. He further revealed that discussions are underway to secure land in Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, Sinoe, and Maryland Counties for the establishment of Environmental Learning Centers.
He also highlighted several ongoing EPA initiatives, including the establishment of the National Climate Change Laboratory with support from the Government of Canada, solar energy projects at government institutions, and the Agency’s partnership with the Monrovia City Corporation to operate a US$100,000 organic waste composting facility in Fiamah.
The dedication of the new EPA headquarters and the commissioning of the Elemental Analyzer mark a significant step forward in strengthening Liberia’s environmental protection efforts, scientific research, and sustainable development agenda.
