The Executive Director of Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, has joined senior government officials, development partners, and key stakeholders at the Liberia National Infrastructure Conference currently underway in Ganta, Nimba County.
The five-day conference, running from January 19 to January 23, 2026, is being held under the theme “Rebranding and Rebuilding Through Reconstruction.” It serves as a national platform for dialogue on Liberia’s infrastructure challenges and long-term development strategies, with a focus on rebuilding critical systems to support economic growth and improved living standards.
Dr. Yarkpawolo is attending the conference alongside a high-level EPA delegation, including Mr. R. Baiyezenah Brown, Inspector General of the EPA; Mr. Targen P. Daye, Assistant Director for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment; and Mr. John K. Jallah Jr., Director for Compliance and Enforcement. The team’s participation underscores the Agency’s commitment to ensuring that environmental safeguards and climate considerations remain central to national development planning.
Liberia is at a pivotal stage where infrastructure development is widely recognized as a key driver of economic transformation. Despite its abundant natural resources and youthful population, the country continues to grapple with major challenges, including poor road connectivity, limited access to reliable energy, inadequate water and sanitation systems, low information and communication technology (ICT) coverage, and increasing vulnerability to climate change.
Over the past two decades, Liberia has endured significant shocks, including a prolonged civil conflict, the Ebola epidemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These crises not only strained the national economy but also exposed deep infrastructure deficits, reinforcing the urgent need for resilient, inclusive, and sustainable development approaches.
In response, the Government of Liberia is advancing the ARREST Agenda, which prioritizes Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism. The agenda is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063 and is designed to promote inclusive growth, national recovery, and long-term development.
As part of the conference activities, EPA officials Mr. Targen P. Daye and Mr. John K. Jallah Jr. are scheduled to participate on the third day in a panel discussion titled “Building Resilient Infrastructure, Enhancing Road Connectivity, and Integrating Climate Change.” The session will explore strategies for strengthening infrastructure systems, improving road networks, and mainstreaming climate change considerations into national and sectoral development plans.
The Liberia National Infrastructure Conference is expected to generate practical, action-oriented recommendations to address the country’s infrastructure gaps, particularly in roads, energy, water and sanitation, ICT, urban development, and climate resilience. It also aims to bridge disparities between urban and rural communities while fostering sustainable development nationwide.
Observers say the EPA’s active participation highlights the growing recognition that environmental protection and climate resilience are essential pillars of effective infrastructure development in Liberia.
