Monrovia, Liberia – The first-ever state-of-the-art Environmental Laboratory in Liberia has been formally dedicated by the government through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the nation’s efforts to safeguard the environment and promote sustainable development.
During the dedication ceremony, Liberia’s vice president, Jeremiah Kpan Koung, stated that the laboratory represents a new era of integrity, pride in the country, and science-driven environmental governance under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
The Vice President remarked, “This laboratory is more than just a room with equipment. It serves as a basis for regulation based on evidence.” According to him, it will enable researchers to track coastline erosion, monitor air and water quality, evaluate climatic data, and make well-informed decisions to safeguard the environment and public health.
The EPA has been operating from rented premises that did not fulfill the fundamental environmental criteria it was established to enforce for far too long, that paradox is resolved now, the vice president said. He emphasized that Liberia’s dedication to environmental justice and climate action is reflected in the new facility.
The Laboratory is a “game-changer” for environmental monitoring in Liberia, according to Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency.
He described how in the past, the agency’s lack of infrastructure prevented it from using expensive equipment supplied by foreign partners. Dr. Uray remarked that, with the new building and laboratory, EPA is now capable of accomplishing vital scientific tasks in-house.
“We are now able to do critical scientific tasks internally due to our state-of-the-art laboratory,” Dr. Urey stated.
He noted that the lab, valued at nearly $100,000 USD, is equipped to perform a wide range of advanced analyses, including forensic environmental testing services that previously had to be outsourced abroad at high cost and with significant delays.
