LIBERIA: WASH Media, EPA Lead Wetlands Awareness
By: WASH R&E Network – In an effort to provide basic information about wetlands and water management in the country, the WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia (WASH R&E) in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) has organized an awareness program aimed at informing Liberians and foreign residents, especially slum dwellers about the importance of Wetlands and Water Management.
The awareness exercise was part of activities in commemoration of World Wetlands Day which is observed each year on the 2nd of February the world over.
This year’s program was observed under the theme “Wetlands and Water Management, with slogan wetlands takes care of water”.
Group photo at the close of the Awareness Program on Wetlands and Water Management, organized by the WASH Media Network-Liberia in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency, held in Slipway-Monrovia
The awareness campaign which was held through a Town Hall Meeting took place in the Slipway community, a slum community with over five thousand inhabitants, situated near central Monrovia and along the Mesorrado.
The Chairman of the WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia (WASH R&E) Augustine Myers, told residents of the Slipway Community that the awareness was intended to give an insight about the uniqueness of wetlands and water management.
Mr. Myers encouraged residents to join the campaign against the misuse of wetlands and water and also do away with practices that tend to create unhealthy conditions.
According to him, the proper management of wetland and water will create a safe and healthy environment.
For her part, the coordinator and Focus person of this year’s celebration at the Environmental Protection Agency, Cecelia Kollie informed residents that the day came about through a resolution passed by the United Nations, to provoide awareness about wetlands.
She told residents of the community attending the awareness program, that wetlands and water are not dumpsite.
Madam Kollie admonished residents to desist from the practice of throwing dirt on wetlands and in water and to also stop using water as toilet.
She further said the abuse of wetlands and water poses serious threat to the environment.
“Poor management of wetlands and water is one of the major factors contributing to the occurrence of earth quake and flooding” Madam Kollie stressed.
The EPA Official also admonished residents to desist from the act of cutting mangrove tress on wetlands areas.
According to her, the trees served as a hiding place for fishes in the sea to laid their eggs. “Due to the heavy current in the sea, fishes there cannot laid eggs there, they need the mangrove tree for their eggs”. She added
Madam Kollie revealed that wetlands also play a pivotal role in the purification of underground water and as such people should desist from using it for the dumping of garbage
She said protecting and keeping wetlands and water clean will avoid residents coming in contact with water born diseases such as cholera and diarrhea.
After providing an overview and importance of Wetlands Day by Madam Kollie, Residents were provided the opportunity to quiz the team from the Environmental Protection Agency about wetlands and Water management and the environment.
Some of the residents were very curious to know what assistance the EPA was providing for Slum Communities like their area in protecting wetlands and water.
They also asked the EPA team about plans the Agency has to provide logistical support to slum communities as a way of cleaning the environment and protecting wetlands and water.
Responding, the EPA team told residents that the agency has established many environmental clubs in several slum communities of which Slipway Community is no exception to provide basic information about the environment and how these communities can be protected by residents.
For logistical support, the EPA team disclosed that through their intervention, a giant-size dirt bucket was provided to the community by the Monrovia City Corporation, for the collection of garbage in their area.
Well, speaking on behalf of the Community, the women Chairlady, Esther Kortol thanked the WASH Media Network and EPA for the bringing such an awareness to the Slipway Community.
Madam Kortol said with the information provided concerning the protection of wetlands and water management, the women of the community will lead the dissemination of information about wetlands and water management.
Wetlands Day marks the date of adoption of the convention on 2nd February 1971, in the Iranian City of Ramsar. Each year since 1997, Government agencies, non- governmental organizations and group of citizens at all levels of the community always take advantage of the opportunity to organized programs aimed at raising public awareness of wetlands values and benefits in general and the Ramsar convention in particular.
An official program marking the celebration of World Wetland Day was held at the historic Providence Island in Monrovia on February 2,2013.
