Environmental Policies Of Liberi A Socioeconomic...

Environmental Policies of Liberia: Perspectives from a Socioeconomic Investigation Liberia, commonly known for diseases such as Ebola and cholera and also known as home to such notorious figures as Joshua Milton Blahyi, a mass murderer and cannibal, is a nation recovering from two recent civil wars on the northwest shore of Africa. The total landmass, consisting of 111,369 square kilometers; is roughly the size of the state of Virginia. In addition to having a long stretch of coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean, about 13% of the landmass is aquatic. With this in mind, the population density based on June estimates is 4,092,310, per square kilometer of usable landmass, which equates to about 43 persons per square kilometer of usable†¦show more content†¦Liberia’s Current Environmental Policy In 2003, Civil war plagued Liberia formed The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA’s mission statement is as follows: The Environmental Protection Agency of the Republic of Liberia is the principle authority for implementing the national environmental policy and sustainable management law for the protection of natural resources in Liberia. As a commitment to the environment, the Government of Liberia established the EPA in 2003 under the EPA Act.The Agency became a fully functioning entity in 2006 with a board of directors and Policy Council. As the lead government environment protection Agency, the EPA has been charged with the executive authority over all environmental activities and programmes relating to environmental management in Liberia (The National Environmental 2003). The agency is empowered with a list of 25 functions; none of which seem to be implemented. Furthermore; it would seem that the agency is currently of little to no use for reasons that will be addressed later. These reasons are despite the fact that the organization has clearly stated its ultimate purpose as such: It is the continuing responsibility of NECOLIB to use all practicable means possible, consistent with other essential components of national policy, to improve and coordinate government s plans, functions, programs and resources to the end that the nation may: 1.Fulfill the