MONROVIA The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia started a two week Environmental and Social Impact Assessment training (ESIA) on Monday, Feb 21, 2022. It was designed to increase the capabilities of independent evaluators and project developers or pros, and technicians from the Environmental Units of line ministries, agencies and Commissions of the Liberian government to properly carry out Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).
The 8ThESIA Licensure Training can also be used to renew licenses of all third-party independent assessors, certify new evaluaters, and also to certificate technicians of government ministries and agencies as well as proponents.
Professor Wilson K. Tarpeh, EPA Executive director and CEO, said that the training was one of the most important and important activities and processes in the Agency’s history since he assumed control.
He encouraged the 130 participants to keep their focus during the training, as they would be assessed at end of two-week training before they were certified by EPA. Prof. Tarpeh stated that we expect you to pay attention as much as possible during this training.
Hon. Randall Dobayou II said that the training will also be used to certify project proponents who wish to create their own environmental monitoring reports.
Dobayou stated that the licenses of all firms have expired since June 30, 2021. He also disclosed that the EPA could not conduct training due to restrictions on large gatherings imposed by the COVID 19.
John K. Jallah, assistant manager, Compliant and Enforcement, EPA, gave an overview of the training. He stated that training was necessary because there are new environmental issues about which consultants may not be knowledgeable.
Manager Jallah complained that the training will address the shortcomings in the reporting format of some consultants which has caused delays in the permit issuance process for proponents.
He said that the training will create a standard reporting format and increase the ability of EPA-certified environmental firms, which are certified to screen emerging projects and address any potential impacts.
He encouraged both project developers and proponents of projects and programs in different ministries of Government and the private sector to attend the training. He believes that this will allow them to comply with Liberia’s environmental laws and regulations.
Proponents and project managers who successfully complete the training will be certified in order to submit and then conduct their own environmental monitoring reporting through their departments or units. However, all data from the laboratory environment must be sampled by an EPA third-party accredited laboratory before they are accepted by the EPA.
Section 1 of the Environment Protection and Management Law of the Republic of Liberia creates the legal framework for the sustainable management, protection, and development of the environment by the Environmental Protection Agency of the Republic of Liberia. Additional, Section 10 Part III of this Law outlines the duties of the Agency in relation to the ESIA Process.
The Agency shall develop and implement regulations to assess the environmental impact of any proposed project.
Based on the assignment, the training will culminate with a site tour (practical exercises).