Monrovia, Liberia:– Communities affected by ArcelorMittal operations in Liberia have strongly denounced Senator Nya Twayen’s recent call for the government not to renew the company’s Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), describing his stance as self-serving and contrary to the interests of the broader population.
Senator Twayen, who represents Nimba County, has urged the government to reject a renewal of the MDA and instead expel the company from the country, citing what he called ArcelorMittal’s failure to meet the expectations of Nimba’s citizens. The current MDA between ArcelorMittal and the Liberian government is due to expire in six years.
In a press conference held in Monrovia on Wednesday, June 11, the spokesman of the affected communities, Mr. Armstrong Gobac Selekpo, accused Senator Twayen of prioritizing personal and regional interests over national development. He emphasized that ArcelorMittal has made “invaluable and incredible” contributions to Liberia’s socio-economic growth, particularly in Nimba County.
“The government’s own call for a review of the MDA is proof that ArcelorMittal has complied with its commitments,” Selekpo stated, highlighting the company’s voluntary investments beyond its contractual obligations. Between 2006 and April 2024, ArcelorMittal reportedly invested over $47 million in community development and national infrastructure projects.
Key Achievements Cited
According to Selekpo, the company has fulfilled 21 commitments under Section 1 of the MDA, including:
- 243 kilometers of road rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation of the Buchanan Port
- Meeting or exceeding all employment quotas
He also highlighted ArcelorMittal investments in education and capacity building:
- Expansion and rehabilitation of a Vocational Training Center
- 99 scholarships awarded under the Advanced Scholarship Program (46% graduation rate)
- Schooling support for over 1,080 dependents
In terms of financial contributions, AML has paid over $424 million in taxes and royalties. The company has also met standards related to security, human rights, community health, and environmental protection—submitting regular Environmental Management Reports and maintaining up to 60 water quality monitoring sites.
Other achievements noted include:
- 40 scholarships at Nimba County Community College (NCCC)
- Provision of 150,000 indigenous seedlings
- 25 conservation agreements implemented
- 785 farmers trained through Farmer Field Schools
- Development of 15 acres of swamp land and 8.8 acres for conservation agriculture
- Support for 22 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs)
Selekpo Criticizes Twayen’s Record
Selekpo accused Senator Twayen of having no prior record of engagement or support for concession negotiations or community development. “During his years at NASSCORP, he never attended concession meetings or supported student or community initiatives,” Selekpo alleged.
He further referenced a 2013 incident in which Twayen defended the government’s decision to withhold Nimba County’s social development funds to compensate for damages caused by citizens, accusing the senator of “milking free money.”
Selekpo argued that rather than acknowledging the nearly 10,000 jobs created by ArcelorMittal, Senator Twayen is pushing an anti-investment agenda. He suggested that the senator’s criticism could be motivated by interest in another potential concessionaire.
“The fact that he’s now talking about bringing back a company from America raises serious questions,” Selekpo concluded.
