MONROVIA – The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) has shut down the operation of China Chongqoing International Construction Company (CICO) in Caldwell, Montserrado County for refusing to adhere to a ‘notice of violation’ issued by the EPA on March 4, 2019. The shutdown was executed on Friday, March 29, 2018 by a team from EPA’s Compliance and Enforcement Department headed by John K. Jallah. Reading a ‘Notice of Shut down for Non-compliance’ prior to shutting down the company, Jallah told management that their operation is in complete violation of the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia. He said CICO’s operation is leading to serious environmental and public health threat to nearby environmental receptors (local communities, air and water quality issues) old and sickened elders, plants, animals and children. Mr. Jallah further noted that CICO is operating under an expired environmental permit in violation to the law of Liberia and said the Chinese firm is liable to punitive actions consistent with the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia.

Source: Front Page Africa March 31, 2019 23:37 UTC