(Monrovia, Liberia – May 12, 2025)-The Government of Liberia, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will officially launch the Sinoe County Coastal Defense Project on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in a bold move to curb the worsening impact of sea erosion on Greenville City.
The disclosure was made Monday morning by EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo during a telephone interview on OK FM’s “OK Morning Rush.” Dr. Yarkpawolo described the situation in Greenville as “devastating,” prompting immediate government intervention through the EPA.
“The City of Greenville is being washed away gradually,” he said. “This project is a direct response to protect lives, properties, and critical infrastructure in the area.”
Dr. Yarkpawolo revealed that the coastal defense project is valued at $20 million USD, co-funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Government of Liberia. He said the Liberian government, through the EPA, is contributing $11 million, primarily through in-kind resources such as rock materials to be used for the construction of coastal barriers.
He explained that the defense structure will utilize an advanced coastal engineering method known as a coastal revetment, involving strategically placed rocks and a sophisticated breakwater system built deep into the water. “This system reduces the energy of the waves before they hit the shore,” Dr.Yarkpawolo said. “When the tide comes in, it will be weaker when it reaches land, preventing further erosion.”
The Sinoe County initiative forms part of a broader intervention under the Integrated Coastal Management Project targeting all nine coastal counties of Liberia. The three main components of the intervention include:
- Integrated Coastal Zone Management
- Livelihood Initiatives, particularly support to local agriculture
- The Coastal Defense Structure, which is the centerpiece of the current Sinoe County effort
Greenville City, the capital of Sinoe County, has long suffered from coastal erosion due to rising sea levels and poor shoreline resilience. In recent years, entire stretches of beach have been consumed by the sea, with some homes and businesses losing ground to tidal waves. Locals report that rainfall and aggressive wave actions during the rainy season often lead to flooding, displacement, and destruction of public facilities.
The problem is not unique to Sinoe. Coastal communities across Liberia—from New Kru Town in Montserrado to Robertsport in Grand Cape Mount—have also experienced varying degrees of sea intrusion, prompting calls for sustained government action.
With the launch of the Sinoe County Coastal Defense Project, the Government of Liberia through the EPA is offering a glimmer of hope to residents of Greenville. “This is not just about rocks and water,” Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized. “It’s about saving our coastal cities and securing the future for generations to come.”
