EPA, UNDP Launch Bold Revetment Drive To Save Greenville From The Sea

Work has officially begun on the Sea Revetment Project in Greenville City, Sinoe County, a major intervention aimed at saving the city from the violent encroachment of the Atlantic Ocean.
The project seeks to reduce the vulnerability of Liberia’s coastal communities to climate change and environmental hazards.
It is being implemented by the Government of Liberia through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, a high-level team led by EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo and UNDP Deputy Country Representative Louis Kuukpen visited affected communities, including Seebeh, Bannah, and Downtown Greenville.
Authorities disclosed that 44 locals will be hired from the affected communities and other coastal counties to work on the project.
50% of the workforce will come from Bannah Community, 25% from Seebeh and Downtown Greenville, and the remaining 25% from other coastal counties.
The rocks for the revetment are being mined from Bannah Community, which has received US$25,000 from the government for the use of its resources.
EPA Executive Director Dr. Yarkpawolo praised residents for their cooperation and urged them to remain committed. “You have been giving your support so far, and we want to say thank you. We know the rocks are being crushed, and some have already been transported to the erosion site,” he said.
Dr. Yarkpawolo explained the broader causes of sea erosion, pointing to the impacts of global warming fueled by industrialized nations.
“Whether it is China, America, or India, big industries are burning coal and releasing bad air into the atmosphere. This destroys the natural blanket that protects the earth from the sun. As a result, the ice at the North and South Poles is melting, increasing ocean volume and causing the sea to take away land,” he told the community.
He cautioned workers not to see the project merely as a job, but as a mission to save Greenville from being swept away by the ever-threatening Atlantic Ocean.
UNDP Deputy Country Representative Louis Kuukpen reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the project, noting that it aligns with UNDP’s goals of protecting coastal communities from erosion.
“There are people you may not know – the Global Environment Facility (GEF) – who are financing this project. UNDP is also contributing, all to ensure the safety of coastal communities,” Kuukpen said.
He thanked residents for their solidarity and urged continued cooperation as construction progresses. Kuukpen disclosed that the Greenville Sea Revetment Project is expected to be completed before the end of 2026.
Princess Blango-Doyah, Manager of the Sinoe Coastal Project at EPA, confirmed that technical preparations are on track.
Vendors have been contracted to crush and transport rocks, while an engineering firm has been hired to finalize designs. Actual revetment construction is expected to begin in October 2025.
For his part, Engineer Anthony Nimely Chea Jr., Chief Technical Advisor, revealed that the project will cover 1.5 kilometers: 800 meters in Downtown Mississippi, Greenville, 700 meters in Seebeh Community, along with five wave-deflecting structures adjacent to the revetment in Downtown Mississippi. He said the revetment is designed to last 25 to 50 years with proper maintenance.
With strong community support, technical preparation, and backing from international partners, the Greenville Sea Revetment Project marks a significant step in Liberia’s fight against coastal erosion — offering hope that Greenville and surrounding communities can be protected from the destructive forces of the Atlantic Ocean.