By: Melvin Flomo
(Monrovia, Liberia – May 12, 2025) — The Government of Liberia, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is taking decisive action against worsening coastal erosion in Sinoe County, with the official launch of a $20 million Coastal Defense Project scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo announced the initiative during a Monday interview on OK FM’s “OK Morning Rush,” warning that Greenville City, the county’s capital, faces an existential threat from advancing sea levels.
"Greenville is steadily disappearing," Dr. Yarkpawolo said. "This project aims to defend lives, property, and the economic future of the city."
The project is jointly financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Government of Liberia. Dr. Yarkpawolo explained that Liberia’s share worth $11 million will be provided largely through local resources, such as stone materials essential for the construction of coastal defenses.
Central to the project is the installation of a coastal revetment system, reinforced by a breakwater built offshore. This method is designed to absorb and weaken the force of ocean waves before they reach the coastline, a critical strategy to prevent further land loss.
Greenville’s battle with sea erosion has been ongoing for years, with entire stretches of beachfront and infrastructure vanishing into the Atlantic. Residents frequently endure flooding, displacement, and the destruction of homes and public services, particularly during the rainy season.
The Sinoe Coastal Defense Project is part of a larger national effort under Liberia’s Integrated Coastal Management Plan, which prioritizes:
✓ Strengthening Integrated Coastal Zone Management
✓ Promoting local livelihood programs, especially agriculture.
✓ Constructing durable coastal protection structures
Beyond Sinoe, communities across Liberia’s coast including Montserrado County, New Kru Town and Grand Cape Mount, Robertsport are also grappling with the devastating impacts of sea intrusion.
Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that the government’s intervention is about more than infrastructure. “This is about preserving communities and ensuring that future generations inherit a safe and sustainable coastline,” he said.
The launch of the project signals a new chapter for Greenville and highlights the government’s commitment to addressing climate-related threats with long-term, science-driven solutions.
