Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By: Sarah Winnie Ellis
Greenville – In a move to strengthen local environmental governance, Measurement Reporting Verification (MRV) in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially launched a County Environmental Committee in Greenville. The new committee, composed of twenty-two stakeholders drawn from across the local community, is tasked with addressing critical environmental challenges facing the county.
The initiative seeks to bring together residents, businesses, civil society organizations, and other key actors to actively engage in the protection and improvement of Greenville’s natural environment. Speaking at the launch, Mr. Abraham Kreku, the MRV focal person for the project, emphasized that the committee’s primary objectives include decentralizing environmental governance in line with the provisions of the EPA Act and Liberia’s national environmental policy.
“Our goal is to ensure that environmental management is not just centralized at the national level, but also strengthened within the county,” Mr. Kreku said. “Through this committee, we aim to create mechanisms for monitoring, compliance, and enforcement of environmental regulations at both the county and district levels.”
Beyond regulatory oversight, the committee will work to integrate environmental considerations into county development plans and sectoral programs. It also seeks to promote public awareness and active participation, as well as provide educational programs aimed at enhancing climate resilience and sustainable practices among the local population.
The administrative assistant to the acting county superintendent expressed appreciation for the technical and logistical support provided by MRV and the EPA. She pledged that the committee would work diligently to raise awareness of environmental issues, facilitate community participation, and develop practical solutions tailored to the county’s unique environmental challenges.
Community leaders and environmental advocates have welcomed the initiative, noting that it provides a structured platform for collaborative problem-solving and accountability in environmental management. As Greenville continues to experience pressures from urban development and natural resource use, the committee is expected to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the county’s ecological future.
The County Environmental Committee is now set to begin consultations with local stakeholders, implement monitoring programs, and develop strategies to foster sustainable development practices across Greenville.
