MONROVIA – A heated controversy has unfolded between Nimba County Senator Nya D. Twanyen and the Joint Legislative Committee on Mineral Development Agreements (MDA) over the Committee’s oversight mission to ArcelorMittal Liberia’s (AML) concession in Nimba County. The dispute has triggered renewed debate over legislative transparency, corporate accountability, and the future of Liberia’s most significant foreign investment.
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, Senator Twanyen issued a blistering response to the Committee’s defense of its visit, calling the trip “unauthorized” and “clandestine.” He claimed that the Joint Committee lacked legal grounding, insisting that only the Joint Public Accounts and Modernization Committees are recognized by law, with all others requiring explicit approval from the plenary of both Houses of the Legislature.
“The Legislature is currently on break, and the formation and operations of any joint committee must be authorized by the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives,” Twanyen declared. “As of this post there is no such authorization from the Senate Leadership; there was no mention of a trip to AML in the Senate work room and there was no mention of this visit in the Concession Committee chat room that I’m a part.”
He further alleged that ArcelorMittal Liberia has recently failed to attend critical meetings with the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Concessions, but nevertheless “chose to lure some lawmakers for a meeting for sinister reasons.” Twanyen urged the leadership of the Legislature to investigate the trip, warning that it risks undermining the Senate’s ongoing hearings into the company’s operations.
“I can assure the people of Nimba that gone are the days of corporate mischiefs at the expense of our people,” the Senator vowed. “AML must correct the wrongs of the past, improve the current conditions, and ensure full implementation of the MDA as stipulated or risk being sued or denied renewal.”
Committee Pushes Back
The Joint Legislative Committee on Mineral Development Agreements, however, firmly rejected Twanyen’s claims. In a statement signed by Chairman Senator Numene T.H. Bartekwa and Co-Chair Senator Simeon B. Taylor, the lawmakers insisted their mission was neither secretive nor illegal.
“This official oversight visit was communicated, coordinated, and planned in advance with the relevant authorities,” the Committee said. “We have nothing to hide and are committed to upholding the trust placed in us to oversee concession agreements responsibly.”
They dismissed Twanyen’s remarks as “a reckless campaign of misinformation and political agitation” that misrepresents the purpose of their mission. According to the Committee, their presence in Nimba County was a legitimate fact-finding exercise designed to ensure ArcelorMittal is adhering to its Mineral Development Agreement with the Government of Liberia.
The lawmakers added that constructive engagement with AML is essential, given its role as Liberia’s largest private employer. The company currently provides over 5,000 jobs, and its Phase II expansion is projected to create thousands more. “Jeopardizing these opportunities for political posturing would be irresponsible,” the statement read.
ArcelorMittal’s Troubled Record in Liberia
The latest dispute is the continuation of long-standing concerns surrounding ArcelorMittal’s operations in Liberia. Since the signing of its concession in 2005, the company has invested over US$1.7 billion in Liberia’s mining sector, reviving iron ore production in Yekepa, Nimba County, and Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
But the investment has often been accompanied by controversy. Communities in Nimba and Grand Bassa have repeatedly accused AML of failing to live up to commitments in housing, healthcare, road construction, and environmental protection. Civil society groups, including the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) and Green Advocates International, have documented grievances ranging from land disputes to inadequate compensation for displaced families.
In 2018, an independent assessment commissioned by the Government of Liberia found gaps in the company’s compliance with its Mineral Development Agreement, particularly in community development obligations. More recently, in 2021, lawmakers stalled the ratification of AML’s proposed Third Amended Agreement after concerns emerged about unfair terms and the lack of benefits to affected communities.
Nimba County, where the bulk of AML’s operations are located, remains a hotbed of tension between residents and the company. Local leaders argue that despite billions of dollars in iron ore exports, poverty and underdevelopment persist in mining towns. This history partly explains why Senator Twanyen and others have adopted a more combative stance toward the company.
High Stakes for Liberia’s Economy
ArcelorMittal’s presence is critical to Liberia’s economy. The company not only provides jobs but also contributes significantly to government revenue through taxes, royalties, and social development funds. Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) reports show AML among the country’s top taxpayers, accounting for millions of U.S. dollars annually.
Still, critics contend that Liberia has yet to fully reap the rewards of its vast mineral wealth. Many argue that weak oversight, poor negotiation, and alleged corruption have allowed concessionaires to escape full accountability. Twanyen’s accusations and the Committee’s counter-defense highlight the persistent distrust between lawmakers, corporations, and the communities most affected by resource extraction.
Looking Ahead
As the war of words intensifies, both sides are digging in. Senator Twanyen insists that AML must be held accountable “without fear, favor, or alignment,” while the Committee warns against politicizing oversight responsibilities.
What remains clear is that the dispute is bigger than a legislative trip. It cuts to the heart of Liberia’s struggle to balance foreign investment with transparency, accountability, and equitable development. Whether the current standoff will produce meaningful reforms or simply add to a long list of unresolved grievances remains to be seen.
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