Liberia: EPA Launches Demolition of Illegal Structures to Tackle Flooding in Paynesville

Monrovia, April 17 -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC), Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), the Ministry of Public Works, and the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), has begun a major demolition exercise targeting illegal structures on the Montserrado wetlands.

By Francis G. Boayue, [e-mail]

The operation commenced on Wednesday along the SKD Boulevard and 72nd Road in Paynesville, beginning with the SKD Community, and focuses on removing makeshift structures and buildings that have encroached on key waterways and wetlands.

According to the EPA, the demolition is part of an initiative aimed at addressing long-standing environmental and infrastructural issues caused by unregulated construction, which has blocked major waterways and severely disrupted stormwater flow.

Speaking to journalists during the exercise, EPA Environmental Inspector Baiyezenah Brown said the blocked waterways have significantly contributed to frequent flooding in surrounding communities, damaging homes, displacing families, and creating serious public health hazards due to waterborne diseases and poor sanitation.

Brown explained that the demolition aims to restore the integrity of the drainage systems, allowing stormwater to flow freely and reducing the risk of future flooding. He emphasized that the effort will enhance environmental health, improve living conditions, and align with the government's urban planning and climate adaptation strategies.

"The demolition is expected to restore the integrity of the drainage systems, allowing water to flow freely and reducing the risk of future flooding," Brown said. "This will not only improve the living conditions of residents but also enhance environmental health, boost resilience to climate impacts, and support the government's broader urban planning and climate adaptation goals."

He noted that local communities will benefit from improved sanitation, fewer health hazards, and reduced property damage. The initiative also marks a significant step toward sustainable urban development and disaster risk reduction within the Monrovia-Paynesville corridor.

Brown stated that while the current phase targets structures on the wetlands, the exercise will continue to remove all buildings illegally occupying the waterways, in accordance with Liberian environmental laws that prohibit construction on wetlands.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.