IPNews-Monrovia, Liberia- 25 June 2018: Authorities of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia over the weekend suspended the demolition of a gas station illegally constructed on the Mesurado wetlands along the SKD Boulevard near the Police Academic Junction in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.
According to a press release from the EPA, the filling station was erected by controversial businessman, George B. Kailondo in blatant disregard to the Environment Protection and Management Laws of Liberia.
EPAโs Executive Director, Nathaniel T. Blama said Kailondo ignored several halt orders from the EPA and proceeded to illegally build the gas station on the Mesurado wetlands.
Executive Director Blama told journalist on Friday, June 22, 2018 that Mr. Kailondoโs application to erect on the Mesurado wetlands was denied on September 17, 2015 by the EPA.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Public Works also denied Kailondoโs drawing which was sent to it.
Director Blama said his predecessor, Madam Anyaa Vohiri in a letter to Mr. Kailondo said the EPA cannot grant him permit, because the proposed project site for which his request was made is part of the Mesurado wetlands, which is of international importance.
Kailondo was also informed that the EPA has observed that the terrain is inhabited by aquatic species of plants and animals (reptiles) and that constructing a multi-purpose service station at the site may lead to the contamination of ground, surface waters and the destruction of live and properties and other negative environmental impacts.
Mr. Blama said despite the warning, Mr. Kailondo defiantly begun construction work at the site in completed disregard to the countryโs Environment Protection and Management Law.
The EPA Boss disclosed that a follow-up letter was written to Mr. Kailondo on February 23, 2017 by his predecessor informing the businessman that based on technical analysis and environmental risks, his request to construct a filling station at the SKD Boulevard has been rejected by the EPA.
A copy of the February 23, 2017 letter, which is in the possession of The NEWS read: the project is located within the Mesurado Wetlands. The Mesurado Wetlands is one of the Ramsar sites in Liberia and provides a favorable habitat and feeding ground for several species of birds, crocodile and plays an important role in shoreline stabilization and sediment trapping.
The EPA provided Mr. Kailondo a period of 30 days to embark on the demolition of the station or the Government of Liberia through the EPA and the Ministry of Public Works would bring the filling station down.
Mr. Kailondo ignored the mandate from the EPA and during the election period hurriedly completed the gas station in violation the laws of Liberia.
He disclosed that a final notice of demolition was written to Mr. Kailondo on June 20, 2018 toย within 48 hourย remove the structure that he illegally build on the wetland or the EPA would have it removed.
Mr. Blama indicated that while the EPA, the Ministry of Public Works and the Police were making final arrangement to bulldoze the illegal gas station, the EPA was served a notice from the Supreme Court to haltย Saturdayโsย demolition until a hearing is held onย June 26, 2018ย between the EPA and the businessman.
The EPA Boss said they suspended the exercise because they are law abiding and would attend the planned conference at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, but wonder why Kailondo, a lawyer choose to violate the law.
โNow, he is benefitting from the very law he had no regard for. It is unfortunate that a lawyer will elect to blatantly violate the law and run to the Supreme Court for redress,โ Mr. Blama said.
He is hopeful that the Supreme Court will rule in its favor and that the EPA will reclaim the wetlands to deter others from illegally constructing on wetlands and in waterways
