Friday, February 7, 2025: The Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI) has presented five motorbikes to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enhance its operational capacity. The value of the five Yamaha Motorbikes, including insurance cost is a little over USD$22,000.00 (Twenty Two Thousand United States Dollars). 

Presenting the items Friday at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Commerce & Industry Minister Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh said the Ministry has been concerned about identifying with line ministries and agencies that are under the Liberia Investment and Finance Trade Project (LIFT-P). She added that the support will enhance   MSMEs growth and on the overall promote the Liberian government’s ARREST Agenda. 

Minister Dagoseh expressed the need for collaboration between the Ministry of Commerce and the Environmental Protection Agency, including MSMEs in the country. 

Minister Dagoseh described the EPA as a good friend of hers-adding that her fallen husband, Senator Edward Dagoseh and   Dr. Foday Kromah were instrumental in bringing the EPA to Liberia. 

“We have been with the EPA following all their activities and so today we are happy to see the EPA receiving these motorbikes to enhance their work,” Madam Dagoseh added.

She pointed out that the Ministry of Commerce & Industry was pleased that the World Bank has delivered on whatever it had initially promised to boost the operational capacity of the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Minister Dagoseh however admonished the recipient to ensure that the motor bikes are properly maintained, apparently so that additional opportunities may avail themselves in future.

Receiving the motor bikes on behalf of EPA Executive Director, Dr.  Emmanuel Yarkpawolo Urey, the Focal Person at the EPA, John Jallah, thanked the Ministry of Commerce & Industry for the gesture. He said the donation would enhance the EPA’s ongoing decentralization process and promote local business enterprises.

Mr. Jallah also indicated that the EPA has been working to customize its licensing regime and expressed the hope for more assistance from the Commerce Ministry and partners.

He said one other key issue the EPA has been concerned about is the digitization and automation of its system so that there will be improvement in the turnaround period when it comes to MSMEs and environmental -related licensing.

It can be recalled that the EPA, in 2024 received 10 pieces of highly sophisticated GPS and 2 advanced cameras from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry through the LIFT Project.

The five-year LIFT Project,  implemented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with funding support from the World Bank, focuses on improving the investment climate, supporting reforms, private sector investment.  The initiative includes SMEs access to market, finance, and technical assistance program that will prepare them for competition, increase revenue and create jobs.

At the inception of the project, capacity building for government institutions was identified as one of the major challenges impeding project implementation and delivery. It was at this juncture   the EPA was identified as one of the government agencies in need of support, particularly the provision of the requisite working tools to enhance its work and increase productivity.

Jacob N.B.Parley

Communications Director

Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Contacts: 077604576/0886560455

WhatsApp: 0881336137