EPA Receives 15 Motorcycles to Strengthen Environmental Monitoring Nationwide

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has received 15 brand-new Honda motorcycles from the Government of Liberia through the Health Security Project to strengthen environmental monitoring, improve field inspections, and enhance the country’s capacity to prevent and respond to health emergencies.

The donation is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen national health security through the One Health approach, which promotes collaboration among the human, animal, and environmental health sectors to address public health threats.

Presenting the motorcycles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Rafael Ngumbu, Director of the EPA’s Department of Environmental Research and Radiation Safety and focal point for the Health Security Project, said the equipment would significantly improve the agency’s ability to conduct environmental surveillance and inspections, particularly in rural communities.

Ngumbu emphasized that environmental protection is essential to safeguarding human and animal health, noting that improved access to communities would enable environmental officers to identify and address potential threats more effectively.

“Protecting the environment is an essential part of protecting human and animal health. These motorcycles will improve our mobility and enable our officers to reach communities where environmental monitoring and compliance inspections are needed,” Ngumbu said.

He disclosed that the motorcycles are part of a broader package of support being provided to the EPA under the Health Security Project.

According to him, the initiative also includes 15 laptops, laboratory equipment valued at approximately US$200,000, and postgraduate scholarships intended to strengthen the agency’s technical capacity.

Ngumbu explained that one EPA staff member is currently pursuing a master’s degree in environmental chemistry, while arrangements are underway for a second scholarship, preferably for a female staff member, to study environmental microbiology.

He said the interventions are designed to enhance the EPA’s technical capabilities in environmental surveillance, chemical management, radiation safety, water quality monitoring, and waste management.

The Health Security Project is a government initiative jointly implemented by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the EPA. Under the One Health framework, the Ministry of Health leads the human health component, the Ministry of Agriculture oversees animal health, and the EPA addresses environmental health concerns.

EPA Executive Director Welcomes Support

Receiving the motorcycles, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo expressed appreciation to the Government of Liberia for providing the equipment, describing reliable transportation as essential to the agency’s environmental protection mandate.

Dr. Yarkpawolo said he had stressed the need for durable, high-quality motorcycles during discussions surrounding the project, particularly because environmental officers often operate in areas with difficult road conditions.

“Our officers need reliable and durable equipment that can withstand rough terrain and support the demands of environmental fieldwork. Effective environmental monitoring depends on our ability to reach the communities and locations where our presence is needed,” he said.

He noted that improved transportation would enable EPA personnel to conduct inspections more efficiently, monitor potential environmental threats, and respond to environmental concerns across the country.

The Executive Director also acknowledged the oversight and support of Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Hydrocarbon, Energy and Environment, and Representative Jeremiah Garwo Sokan Sr., Chairman of the House Committee on Lands, Mines, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment.

Lawmaker Calls for Proper Use and Maintenance

For his part, Representative Jeremiah Garwo Sokan Sr. welcomed the donation and commended the EPA for its efforts to strengthen its operational capacity.

He noted that providing environmental officers with the necessary equipment and logistical support was important to improving staff performance and ensuring effective delivery of the agency’s responsibilities.

“Providing the EPA with the necessary logistical support is an important step toward improving its operations. We expect these motorcycles to help environmental officers perform their duties more effectively and extend the agency’s reach to communities across Liberia,” Representative Sokan said.

He urged the EPA to ensure that the motorcycles are properly used and maintained to protect the government’s investment and guarantee their long-term usefulness.

Strengthening National Health Security

The 15 motorcycles are expected to improve the mobility of EPA inspectors and strengthen the agency’s field presence, particularly in counties and communities where transportation challenges have limited environmental surveillance and compliance inspections.

The additional logistical, laboratory, and academic support under the Health Security Project is also expected to strengthen the EPA’s technical expertise and contribute to a more coordinated national response to environmental and public health threats.

Through the One Health approach, the government and its implementing partners seek to improve coordination among institutions responsible for human, animal, and environmental health, recognizing that effective environmental management is critical to preventing health emergencies and protecting communities.