The Inquirer (Monrovia)
18 October 2006
The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) says its attention has been drawn to what it calls unwarranted conversion of wetlands in and around Monrovia into dumping sites for medical, industrial and domestic wastes.
In a release issued yesterday, the EPA noted that people are also using unscientific methods to reclaim wetlands for the construction of makeshift shelters. The release added that dumping, reclaiming and construction around the Samuel K. Doe Boulevard, the former Sophie Ice Cream Shop near the Catholic Hospital junction, the St. Paul Bridge Community and the Somalia Drive, particularly at the Stockton Creek Bridge, is of serious concern to the EPA.
According to the EPA, as a consequence of these actions, the wetlands are not only heavily polluted but loosing their carrying capacities as spawning grounds (nurseries) for some marine fish species; especially fish which more than 50% of the population of the city of Monrovia depends on as source of protein.
The EPA said the dumping of waste and reclaiming of the wetlands for makeshift shelters has further contributed to the degradation of the wetlands, including the erosion of their ecological and economic functions.
EPA in its release further noted that this misuse is in breach of the Ramsar Convention on the use of wetlands, to which Liberiais a contracting party. "Furthermore, the construction of makeshift settlements and dumping of medical, industrial and domestic wastes in the wetlands is in violation of provisions of Liberia's environmental laws particularly those on land use, wetland and the 1976 public health law of Liberia," the EPA added.
The EPA's release then quotes Chapter 23 Section-10 of the Public Health Law as saying that such act is considered as public nuisance which is punishable by fine or jail term; while Section 4.11 of the Environmental Policy of Liberia entrustsEPA with the authority to make decisions relative to the use and management of wetlands in Liberia; as part VI Section 75 count 2 subsection 3(a-g) among other things, forbid people from using, erecting, constructing, extending, removing, or demolishing any structure in, on, under, or over the bed of a river, lake, or wetland.
EPA noted that in fragrant violation of these provisions of the environmental legislations and the public health law. In addition, contrary to the Ramsar Convention, residents, business houses, medical institutions, and industries continue to reclaim wetlands for construction of shelters and dump sites for medical, industrial and domestic wastes without reference to the EPA and municipal authorities.
Meanwhile, EPA is warning those involved to immediately stop such ugly practices and request stakeholders groups having interest in wetland utilization, to contact the agency. EPA said it will not hesitate to institute or invoke the provisions of the environmental laws on anyone or institution who is in violation.
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