The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) has announced the suspension of operations at the MIRA Gas Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Plant following its investigation into the September 15 explosion that killed one person and left several others critically injured in the CEMENCO Community along the Japan Freeway. In a press statement released on September, the EPA said the explosion originated from a leaking pipe connection between a delivery tanker and the facility’s storage tank. The investigation revealed a series of safety lapses, including poor maintenance of tanks and pipelines, the absence of an emergency response plan, inadequate fire safety measures, lack of gas detectors and alarms, and insufficient training of staff in LPG handling and emergency procedures.
The EPA noted that while the MIRA facility was originally permitted in 2015 within a designated industrial zone, rapid urbanization has since transformed the area into a semi-residential and mixed-use community. This shift, the agency said, has raised concerns about the continued suitability of large-scale LPG storage at the site. The agency further indicated that it will assess compliance with buffer requirements and take steps to minimize risks to surrounding communities. The report also highlighted several permit violations by MIRA Gas.
These included failure to develop a health and safety plan, failure to establish an emergency preparedness and response strategy, and neglecting to conduct routine leak detection and defect monitoring. The company was also cited for failing to maintain firefighting equipment and alarm systems, failing to employ a dedicated Environmental Health and Safety Officer, and neglecting to notify the EPA of the incident within the required timeframe. Additionally, MIRA Gas failed to submit mandatory biannual monitoring reports as required under the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia. As part of its enforcement actions, the EPA has imposed a fine of ten thousand United States dollars on MIRA Gas, payable to the Government of Liberia.
The company has been ordered to suspend all operations until critical safety upgrades are completed and verified by the EPA. These measures include the installation of adequate fire suppression systems, gas detectors, and alarm systems; the development and implementation of a comprehensive emergency preparedness and response plan; the establishment of a preventive maintenance program; and mandatory safety training and drills for all employees. The EPA has also directed MIRA Gas to employ a qualified on-site Environmental Health and Safety Officer and cooperate with the agency’s plan to consider restructuring or relocating bulk storage operations to safer zones, in line with international safety standards.
The company is required to submit a written compliance plan within fourteen working days. Failure to do so, the EPA warned, will result in additional penalties, including higher fines, permit revocation, or prosecution under Liberia’s environmental laws. The EPA emphasized that it will conduct follow-up inspections to ensure compliance and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting human health, workplace safety, and the environment across all industrial operations in Liberia. The suspension of MIRA Gas marks one of the agency’s toughest enforcement actions in recent years, reflecting growing concerns about industrial safety in densely populated urban communities.
Author: Zac T. Sherman
