By P. Vangerline Kpotoe
MONROVIA, April 17 (LINA) – In a decisive move to reclaim the Boulevard Wetlands and address persistent flooding in Monrovia, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia on Wednesday, April 17, 2025, led a joint task force to demolish illegal structures erected along SKD Boulevard and surrounding communities.
The operation, carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works, the Presidential Wetlands Task Force, the Paynesville City Corporation, the Liberia Land Authority, and the Liberia National Police, follows President Joseph Boakai’s mandate to safeguard the country’s mangrove ecosystems and uphold environmental laws.
Senior Environmental Inspector Baiyezenah Brown said the demolitions came after extensive community engagement and prior warnings to residents and business owners occupying the protected wetland.
“A significant number of makeshift and residential structures have been illegally constructed on the wetlands,” Brown said, adding, “These areas are not for private use—they are critical to our environment and must be preserved.”
Brown noted that temporary structures are currently being removed, while owners of permanent buildings will be invited to a conference with the EPA to discuss the next steps.
Tom Wesley Korkpor, Assistant Director for Land Use and Management at the LLA, emphasized that most of the demolished buildings lacked legal documentation and were erected in defiance of national laws.
“Wetlands are classified as public land under the Land Rights Act,” Korkpor stated., adding, “These structures were built without proper authorization, and we’re working closely with the EPA to ensure all land-use planning respects both environmental and legal guidelines.”
The demolition is being conducted in accordance with the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia and Executive Order 143. Targeted areas include SKD Boulevard, the Police Academy community, Tyler Island, and Jacob Town.
The EPA is urging individuals and businesses with structures in wetlands, waterways, and beach fronts to remove them voluntarily or face enforced removal. It also warned against ongoing construction and dumping of waste in restricted areas, citing the severe flooding experienced last year as a direct result of blocked drainage systems and illegal development.
“This should serve as a wake-up call,” the agency said in a statement. “The consequences of environmental negligence are devastating—and preventable.”
