The Assistant Minister for Planning and Development, Ministry of Mines and Energy, and also the Focal Person of the Coastal Defense Project (CDP), Johnson Willabo, has said that sea erosion has been a major threat to coastal communities across Liberia over the years, but the implementation of the Coastal Defense Project (CDP) has instituted measures to prevent sea erosion in Montserrado, Grand Bassa and Sinoe counties.
According to Assistant Minister Willabo, since the implementation of CDP in New Kru Town, the coastal line has been prevented from sea erosion, as the concrete wall built along the coastal line protects the land.
Minister Willabo made the disclosure Monday when a similar project was expected to be implemented in West Point Township to prevent sea erosion.
He indicated that in 2018 the issue of sea erosion was alarming in several coastal communities, especially in New Kru Town and West Point Township, where homes, school buildings and other properties were destroyed, displacing several persons, including women and children.
According to him, the situation was graved and claimed the attention of President George Manneh Weah and the CDC government, and a grant from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) was initiated through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to carry out the CDP in New Kru Town.
Minister Willabo noted that New Kru Town is almost protected, and this is why during this year’s rainy season the people are not complaining about sea erosion in the area.
He said it is unfortunate that people continue to build near the waterbody. He warned that construction should be done at least 50 meters away from any waterbody such as sea and river to prevent erosion.
According to him, the West Point Township project is expected to kick-off in 2024 under the Metropolitan Climate Resilient Project (MPCR), disclosing that feasibility study is on-going, with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Minister Willabo disclosed that in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, the coastal defense system was implemented in 2013 to prevent sea erosion from Fante Town up to Tubman Street, but it was not completed to ensure affected communities are protected.
He explained that the ministry is expected to do some maintenance of the fortification in Buchanan to prevent sea erosion since the coastal line was not completed in the 2013.
He pointed out that the Global Environmental Facility has made available funds to execute the Coastal Defense Project in Sinoe County.
Minister Willabo asserted that the Minister of Mines and Energy and the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are collaborating to ensure that the project kicks off soon, underscoring that sea erosion is eating up certain parts of Greenville.
He revealed that these projects will take into consideration the human component of affected people and communities.