A new wave of controversy has engulfed the Liberian Legislature after Nimba County Senator Nya D. Twayen publicly accused ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) of attempting to bribe lawmakers through what he described as a “luxurious trip” to the company’s concession areas. Speaking in a strongly worded statement, Senator Twayen alleged that AML is using high profile tours and extravagant hospitality as tools to sway legislative opinion in its favor, despite being in “gross violation” of its Mineral Development Agreement (MDA). According to the Nimba lawmaker, the company’s tactics are designed to undermine the ongoing Senate hearings into AML’s compliance with the terms of its agreement with the Liberian government.
“ArcelorMittal: taking some Senators and Representatives for a luxury tour of AML concession area does not negate the fact that you are in gross violation of the Mineral Development Agreement,” Twayen declared. “Until the people of Nimba and Liberia benefit as per the terms and conditions laid out in the agreement, you are doomed to be sued or doomed for nonrenewal. We dare any heartless lawmaker to turn a blind eye to these egregious violations.” He further accused AML of inflating its investments in Liberia, referencing testimony under oath in which the company admitted that a plant previously touted as being worth $1.4 billion was, in fact, valued at only $250 million.
The accusations come just a day after a self-styled Joint Legislative Committee on MDA Compliance embarked on a fact-finding mission to AML sites in Nimba County. Senator Twayen swiftly dismissed the committee’s legitimacy, branding its trip “surreptitious” and unauthorized. “I read a statement from the so-called ‘Joint Legislative Committee on MDA Compliance’ trying to justify their luxury trip to AML,” Twayen said.
“There are only two official Joint Committees of the Legislature: Public Accounts and Modernization. Any other joint committee must be authorized by the plenary of both Houses or their leadership. As of this post, no such authorization has been granted. The Legislature is currently on break.” He called on the leadership of both chambers to investigate what he termed a clandestine effort that risks undermining the integrity of the Senate’s ongoing hearings on AML. Twayen further alleged that AML had recently snubbed a scheduled meeting with the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Concessions, opting instead to entice lawmakers with private engagements.
“This is nothing but corporate mischief at the expense of our people,” the Senator stated. “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.” His stance has since received reinforcement from fellow Nimba lawmaker, Representative Nehker Gaye of District #3, who issued his own statement of support. “I join Senator Nya Twayen to deconstruct the perennial and malicious manipulation of our national leaders,” Rep. Gaye wrote. “In a representative democracy, the interest of the people matters more to those of us who have been given the mandate to represent them.
We should protect their interests at all times.” Gaye, who is currently out of the country, argued that his exclusion—and that of the Nimba County Legislative Caucus—from the trip was a deliberate attempt to marginalize their voices. He maintained that any official visit to AML’s concession should involve the caucus, given their deep understanding of the challenges facing their constituents. “We will not allow ourselves to be used as political vehicles to accomplish selfish gains,” Gaye said. “I therefore call on Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon and the leadership of the Legislature to immediately halt the ongoing field visitation until the Legislature is officially in session.”
The unfolding dispute underscores the long-standing tensions between ArcelorMittal Liberia, one of the country’s largest foreign investors, and the people of Nimba County, who continue to complain about unfulfilled promises, environmental degradation, and alleged disregard for local development. As the controversy deepens, the leadership of the Legislature now faces mounting pressure to clarify the legitimacy of the so-called Joint Committee trip and to address the broader accusations of corruption, manipulation, and neglect of the MDA. For the people of Nimba, however, the message from their lawmakers is clear: corporate accountability cannot be sacrificed on the altar of luxury tours or political convenience.
In responded Senator Numene T. H. Bartekwa – Chairman and Senator Simeon B. Taylor – Co Chair the Joint Legislative Committee on Mineral Development Agreements (MDA) issues this comprehensive statement in reply to recent public allegations made by our colleague, Senator Nya D. Twayen, Jr. of Nimba County. We speak today from Ganta, Nimba County, where the Committee has convened as part of an official oversight mission to the concession areas of ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML). This mission, planned weeks in advance and conducted with full transparency, is intended to verify compliance with Liberia’s Mineral Development Agreements, hear directly from local communities, and ensure that the benefits of Liberia’s natural resources are being equitably delivered to the Liberian people. Earlier this morning, just as members of the Committee were preparing to depart for on-site inspections, we became aware of a disturbing social media post authored by Senator Twayen.
In his post, the Senator characterized our oversight mission as a “secret meeting” with ArcelorMittal Liberia and suggested that members of the Legislature were engaged in questionable or clandestine dealings. The Joint Committee categorically rejects these claims as false, misleading, and damaging to the integrity of the Legislature. We take this opportunity not only to set the record straight but also to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and the public interest. The Committee clarifies that our visit to the AML concession is not a secret meeting, nor was it arranged “under the shadow of dark,” as insinuated by Senator Twayen. On the contrary, this official oversight visit was communicated, coordinated, and planned in accordance with legislative procedures. Relevant authorities and stakeholders were duly notified. Our mission is part of the Legislature’s statutory duty to perform oversight of Mineral Development Agreements.
It is standard practice in every democracy that elected lawmakers must verify, through direct inspection and consultation, whether concessionaires are living up to their contractual obligations. There is nothing clandestine about legislators traveling to see, first hand, the operations of a concessionaire that plays such a vital role in our economy. To suggest otherwise is to distort reality and to cast aspersions on colleagues who are simply fulfilling their constitutional responsibility. The Joint Committee finds Senator Twayen’s social media statements deeply troubling. By framing our oversight mission as a luxury “tour” or a “secret negotiation,” he has engaged in a reckless campaign of misinformation and political agitation. His comments are not only factually wrong but also unfairly malign the integrity of over twenty five legislators who have traveled to Nimba County with a clear mandate to serve the people of Liberia.
Such unfounded accusations, when made publicly, risk undermining trust in the Legislature and sowing unnecessary confusion among our citizens. Oversight is not tourism. Our visit is not for pleasure. It is a working mission, a fact-finding engagement, designed to ask tough questions, demand honest answers, and report back to the Liberian people. We will not allow Senator Twayen’s mischaracterization to stand unchallenged. A central insinuation of Senator Twayen’s post is that the Committee should adopt a posture of hostility toward ArcelorMittal Liberia due to past compliance issues. While we acknowledge there are genuine compliance concerns, we reject the notion that hostility is the right approach. ArcelorMittal Liberia is Liberia’s single largest private-sector investor and employer, currently providing more than 5,000 jobs.
Thousands of Liberian families rely directly and indirectly on the company for their livelihoods, from miners and railway workers to scholarship students and small businesses supplying goods and services. The company’s Phase II expansion alone promises to create an additional 5,000 jobs in the coming years. Yes, we will hold AML accountable for every shortcoming, but we will do so through firm, constructive engagement, not through destructive confrontation. As President Joseph Nyuma Boakai reminded the nation during the recent commissioning of AML’s concentrator plant: “There will always be issues with concessions, but we must sit around the table and solve them through dialogue. Liberia’s image must be protected.” We agree wholeheartedly. Hostility does not build roads, does not create jobs, and does not strengthen communities. Constructive leadership does.
The Joint Legislative Committee on MDA Compliance was constituted to serve as a watchdog over concession agreements, ensuring that Liberia’s natural resources are exploited in ways that benefit the country and its citizens. Our mandate includes: Reviewing the terms of Mineral Development Agreements. Inspecting concession sites for compliance. Holding hearings with concessionaires and affected communities. Recommending legislative or policy actions to correct violations. Ensuring that revenues and social contributions from concessions are delivered to the people. This current oversight visit to Nimba is one in a series of missions designed to provide accurate, first-hand data on the performance of major concessionaires. Such visits are essential if we are to make informed recommendations to the Legislature and to the public. It is no secret that ArcelorMittal Liberia has faced challenges in meeting all of its obligations under the MDA.
Communities in Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa have raised concerns about unmet commitments related to social development, infrastructure, and healthcare. For instance, some promised facilities such as modern clinics and certain road projects remain incomplete. Community leaders have expressed frustration over delays in the delivery of development funds. The company itself has admitted to shortcomings during recent Senate hearings, where AML officials acknowledged gaps in compliance. This is precisely why the Joint Committee is on the ground today – to verify these claims, to document the facts, and to push for corrective action. We are not here to ignore or excuse AML’s failings. We are here to confront them directly, but responsibly.
What Liberia needs now is measured, solution-oriented leadership. Political grandstanding may earn headlines, but it does not deliver results. We must not sabotage the livelihoods of thousands of Liberian workers for the sake of scoring political points. We must not risk scaring away investors by creating an image of instability and hostility. Liberia’s future depends on attracting and retaining responsible investors who are willing to build long-term partnerships with our country. This does not mean giving concessionaires a free pass. On the contrary, it means holding them accountable through structured dialogue, enforceable agreements, and consistent oversight. The Committee is fully committed to this path. We regret that Senator Twayen has chosen a combative and unilateral approach, casting his colleagues as corrupt or complicit simply because we refuse to mirror his tactics.
This is not the spirit of legislative unity that Liberia needs at this critical moment. Legislative oversight is strongest when lawmakers act together, with wisdom and facts, not when divided by personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric. By repeatedly portraying colleagues as “blind” or “corrupt” whenever they disagree with him, Senator Twayen undermines the very institution we all serve. The Committee calls on him to desist from such divisive tactics and to engage constructively with us. We invite him to join us in Nimba, not as an adversary but as a partner in the oversight mission. The real issue at stake is simple: how do we ensure that Liberia’s natural resources genuinely benefit our people?
The Committee’s approach is guided by three principles: 1. Transparency – All oversight missions are conducted openly and will be followed by public reports. 2. Accountability – Every concessionaire must meet its obligations without exception. 3. Constructive Leadership – Problems must be solved through negotiation, legal remedies, and legislative action, not public theatrics. By adhering to these principles, we can ensure that Liberia reaps the full benefits of its resources without undermining investor confidence. Later today, the Committee will proceed to ArcelorMittal’s concession areas. Our delegation will meet with management, local leaders, and community representatives. We will inspect facilities, review compliance documents, and gather testimonies from affected citizens. Our findings will be compiled into a comprehensive report for submission to the full Legislature.
Based on the evidence, we will make recommendations for corrective action, whether that be through renegotiation, enforcement, or other legislative measures. The public will be fully informed of our findings. There will be no secrecy, no hidden agenda. Only facts and accountability. At this pivotal moment, we call on all Liberians – lawmakers, community leaders, civil society, and ordinary citizens – to unite in demanding accountability while also protecting Liberia’s image as a stable and responsible nation. We cannot afford to fight one another when the real task is to ensure that companies like ArcelorMittal deliver on their promises. Division only weakens our hand.
Unity strengthens it. The Joint Legislative Committee on MDA Compliance reaffirms its dedication to the Liberian people. We are in Nimba not for luxury, not for secret deals, but for serious oversight. We acknowledge the frustrations of our citizens, and we pledge to ensure that AML and all concessionaires live up to their obligations. But we will do so through constructive engagement, not through hostility or grandstanding. We urge Senator Twayen and others who share his concerns to work with us, not against us. Liberia needs leadership that is firm but fair, strong but measured, committed to results rather than drama. Together, through unity and prudent action, we will ensure that Liberia’s natural resources truly benefit the Liberian people and that our nation moves steadily toward a brighter future.
Author: Zac T. Sherman
