LIBERIA: ‘Slum Community Of West Point Could Face Demolition’ – EPA official Warns

The slum community of West Point

The deputy director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Randall M. Dobayou, has said West Point community is expected to undergo demolition to save it from the catastrophe of sea erosion.

Speaking in Monrovia on state radio ELBC recently, the EPA deputy director said West Point is under serious threat from sea erosion and if nothing is done soonest, there will be a main transgression of 25 yards into the community.

“Yesterday, we were in West Point and it was a joint collaboration, including the Lands, Mines and Energy ministry, and you know it is coast-related issue, and we also had Public Works ministry, whose responsibility it is to build and improve infrastructure,” Dobayou noted.

He said, in order to provide protection for the people of West Point, it needs the involvement of the Public Works ministry because it has the machinery and earthmoving equipment; which will help to carry out the required work adequately.

According to Director Dobayou, the National Disaster Management Agency was also on the tour because when marine transgression occurs and people are affected, “we need the agency to be able to quantify the level of disaster to subsequently provide shelter for the people affected.”

He indicated that the Environmental Protection Agency is concerned about restoration and reclamation of the West Point community.

“When the President of the Republic of Liberia asked: “what are we doing to immediately to get the people of West Point safe? I told the president we can act immediately, but to where we were standing, it was a lot of garbage that was smelling… very bad and toxic,” Director Dobayou narrated.

“You cannot just go there and start working; you have to properly remove the dirt and dispose of it somewhere designated. You cannot just take it and put it in a swamp,” the EPA official said.

He indicated that the agency has carried out studies through the Coastal Data River (CDR), a Dutch company, and they also did studies in Monrovia, Metropolitan coast line, ranging from New Kru Town to as far as Sinkor.

Director Dobayou further narrated that over 50 yards are expected to be carried away by sea erosion in West Point if the situation is taken lightly, adding that they are trying to quantify properties that will be damaged and people should voluntarily relocate themselves.

Director Dobayou expressed gratitude to Montserrado County Senator Saah Joseph for providing some needed equipment like earth-moving machines.

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