Bali Island, an internationally preserved wetland near the historic Providence Island in Monrovia, is poised to be used as the location for the construction of a huge conference center soon.
Amidst criticism, President George Weah recently said he was determined to transform that area, which is below sea level, into a modern city.
Unheeded environmental warnings and cautions from various advocacy and related government agencies against the construction big infrastructures, such as business outfits and private homes, continue to threaten Liberia vital ecosystem, biodiversity and marine resources.
One of the serious threats is also directed at the huge fishing communities of Robertsport, Buchanan and Greenville cities in Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa and Sinoe Counties in South-eastern and Western parts of the country.
In addition, one vital importance of wetlands helps to contain flooding and plant species of wetlands are used for medicinal purposes and the marine resources under the water are fantastic protein rich food.
Sadly, to date in several parts of Liberia, business minded Liberians, foreign business people and private individuals with no regards to the protection and safety of the nation wetlands are on the spree building houses and other outfits in many wetlands areas.
Majority of the wetlands in some parts of the urban areas of Liberia are also been abused by Liberians in the form building makeshift shelters for the sole purpose of defecations a situation that continues contaminating and threatening the vital marine resources.
Urban planners a week ago told the Daily Observer that Monrovia, Paynesville and Duala commercial districts are hot spots observed and where Liberians and their foreign counterparts have chosen to build huge stores and residential buildings.
Accordingly, the Anwar protocols regarding the protection, preservation and safety of wetlands of which Liberia is indeed a signatory continue to be allegedly disregarded by statutory institutions such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Forestry Development Authority (FDA).
In a two day tour of few wetlands in Monrovia and Paynesville, it was observed that some Liberians and foreign business people have developed the lawless tendencies of disregarding all environmental laws and conventions over the years.
Currently, there are no signs in sight to place a halt on such illegal construction of huge structures such as stores residential homes and bridges in many wetlands in most of Liberia urban cities.
Principal stakeholders such as the FDA and EPA are yet to be proactive in the full enforcement of laws and regulations regarding environmental violations in the country.
In separate comments with residents of the affected communities, they regretted their various actions that continue to threaten the wetlands and noted that finding suitable places to build latrines and bathrooms are some of the challenges being encountered by them.
Resident Samuel Hodge Franklin noted that laws and regulations regarding must be enforced to all categories of Liberians and foreign business people without fear, favor and regret in all affected wetlands communities in the country.
Former environmental advocate Emmanuel K. Bedford stressed the need for steps aimed at arresting and prosecuting all would be violators of all environmental laws, regulations and conventions intended for the protection and preservation of wetlands in the country.
“Our responsibilities as citizens and foreign business people are to respect and adhere to our laws and regulations that have to do with the protection of our biodiversity and ecosystem in our wetlands in our country,” Mr. Bedford stressed.