Liberia: EPA Addresses Community Concerns in Yekepa Spillage
EPA’s Executive Director Wilson Tarpeh,
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that it has successfully intervened and resolved the grievances of community members in Yekepa, Nimba County, regarding lowland spillage near the sewage plant operated by ArcelorMittal Liberia.
The spillage had caused significant agitation within the community, leading to protests and demonstrations, as community members demanded fair compensation and the establishment of alternative livelihood sources. Responding to the urgency of the situation, the EPA conducted a five-day trip to ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) in Yekepa, Nimba County to ensure the implementation of EPA’s recommendations.
An EPA release says that, during the consultative meeting held on July 11, the EPA’s Executive Director, Prof. Wilson K. Tarpeh, emphasized the importance and urgency of implementing the recommended measures to restore the well-being and economic resilience of the impacted communities.
As a result of EPA's intervention, ArcelorMittal Liberia has committed to providing immediate compensation to affected farmers for damages caused to their crops, utilizing the most recent crop price list from the Ministry of Agriculture. This decision will increase total compensation payments by US$16,377.
Additionally, ArcelorMittal Liberia has agreed to initiate alternative livelihood programs in August of this year, with the EPA taking on the responsibility of closely monitoring the implementation process to ensure timely and effective execution.
During the meeting, ArcelorMittal Liberia also informed the Environmental Protection Agency about the successful completion and full operation of the renovated sewage plant. The EPA says it views this development as a crucial step in maintaining high environmental standards to ensure the health and safety of communities within the company's operational area.
ArcelorMittal Liberia expressed its appreciation to the EPA for its mediation efforts in amicably addressing the concerns of the community members.
Both the EPA and ArcelorMittal Liberia remain committed to fostering a collaborative and responsible approach to safeguarding the environment and meeting the needs of the local communities.