—-Blast Him over loose Allegations
The Joint Legislative Committee on Mineral Development Agreements (MDA) has termed as mere ‘loose talk’, recent allegations by Senator Nya D. Twayen, Jr. of Nimba County.
In a statement signed by Senator Numene T. H. Bartekwa-Chairman and Senator Simeon B. Taylor- Co-Chair, stated it was important to issue a immediate statement from Ganta, Nimba County, where the Committee has convened as part of an official oversight mission to ArcelorMittal Liberia’s concession area.
The Senate committee stated that it has inspected and verified ArcelorMittal’s operations and compliance with the Mineral Development Agreement, and reject the ‘loose talk’ spilled by colleague Senator Twayen.
The joint statement notes that Senator Twayen social media campaign over the committee’s visit as “secret meeting” implies wrongdoing, and categorically reject those claims.
The Committee further clarifies that its current mission to the ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) concession was neither secret nor done “under the shadow of dark,” as has been suggested by Hon. Nya Twayan.
“This official oversight visit was communicated, coordinated, and planned in advance with the relevant authorities. We are acting squarely within our statutory duties to perform on-site inspection and fact-finding regarding the status of AML’s operations and compliance with its MDA obligations.
There is nothing clandestine about legislators going to see, first-hand, the conditions of a major concession that is critical to our nation’s economy and people.
It is unfortunate that Senator Twayen, who is a member of the Legislature, would make these kinds of scandalous statements publicly. “ The joint Legislative committee statement asserted.
The joint statement furthermore clarifies that contrary to Senator Twayen’s insinuations, the committee work is being done in plain daylight, with accountability and transparency.
“We want to assure the public that this Committee has absolutely nothing to hide and is committed to upholding the trust placed in us to oversee concession agreements responsibly.
We find Senator Twayen’s recent statement deeply concerning and unfortunate.
His accusatory Facebook post not only misrepresents our actions, but it also suggests that we are neglecting our duties or operating with ulterior motives for reasons known only to him.
This implication is categorically false and unacceptable.
By posting such allegations without basis, our colleague has effectively launched a “reckless campaign of “misinformation and political agitation”.
His social media outburst portrays our oversight trip as a “luxury tour” meant to gloss over AML’s violations.
Let us be clear: our visit is a fact-finding mission, not a pleasure trip. We are here to ask tough questions and verify compliance on the ground, not to be pampered or misled.
It is utterly unacceptable that a fellow lawmaker would cast aspersions on his colleagues in this manner.
By doing so, Senator Twanyen has maligned the integrity of the Legislature and disrespected the hard work of the Joint Committee members who are diligently performing their oversight role.
His recent post alleges that over 25 legislators are in Nimba for a “secret meeting” with AML – a characterization we strongly denounce.
There is nothing secret about representatives and senators carrying out their oversight mandate.
We invite Hon. Twanyen to recall that transparency and due diligence are pillars of legislative duty. The Committee also wishes to address the broader insinuation in our colleague’s comments, namely, that we should adopt a posture of open hostility toward ArcelorMittal Liberia due to concerns about compliance.
We cannot and will not take a hostile, acrimonious stance in engaging the largest private investor and employer in our country’s economy. “ Joint Legislative statement emphasized.
ArcelorMittal is Liberia’s single largest private-sector employer, currently providing over 5,000 jobs. In Nimba County alone, thousands of our citizens depend on AML for their livelihoods, from workers in the mines and on the rail lines, to students on scholarship, to local businesses benefiting from the company’s supply contracts. The company’s ongoing Phase II expansion promises to create over 5,000 additional jobs.
These are real families and communities that stand to gain from an effective partnership between Liberia and AML.
“Given this reality, it would be irresponsible to approach this situation with reflexive hostility or to “vilify one of the few companies that continues to invest, employ, train, and contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s development.” Yes, we are unequivocally committed to holding AML accountable for any and all violations of the MDA, but we believe in doing so through firm, constructive engagement rather than destructive confrontation.
As leaders, we do not believe progress is achieved by “tearing down what little we have”; rather, it is built through dialogue, negotiation, and a shared commitment to do better for all Liberians. Even President Joseph Boakai recently reminded us at the commissioning of AML’s new iron ore concentrator that “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 fully agree. We cannot protect Liberia’s image or interests by engaging in knee-jerk antagonism against investors.
Constructive engagement and measured leadership are the prudent path, especially when thousands of jobs and the stability of our investment climate are on the line.
To put it plainly, we refuse to sabotage the livelihoods of over five thousand Liberian workers and the prospects of thousands more future jobs simply to perform political grandstanding.
Our goal is to fix problems, not foment outrage. We can hold AML’s “feet to the fire” and demand compliance without resorting to public insults and threats that might scare away investment or prompt the company to scale back its operations to the detriment of our people.
A posture of constant hostility and acrimony, as advocated by Senator Twanyen, is counterproductive and dangerous – dangerous to the jobs and incomes of our citizens, and dangerous to the broader economy of Liberia.
We must not let politically charged rhetoric put at risk what has been a cornerstone investment in our post-war recovery. We also note with dismay that Senator Twanyen’s aggressive utterances over time appear intended to undermine the authority of the Legislature and to smear the reputations of respected members of this Committee who are working in good faith to improve the situation.
This is not the first time our colleague has chosen a combative, unilateral approach.
While robust debate and differing opinions are healthy in a democracy, there is a line between constructive criticism and outright demagoguery.
By repeatedly casting his fellow lawmakers as “heartless” or implying we are complicit in concessionaire misdeeds, Senator Twanyen is promoting division and eroding the spirit of cooperation within the Legislature. His hostile posture, accusing any lawmaker who doesn’t adopt his tactics of “turning a blind eye” or being corrupt, is unbecoming and harmful to legislative unity.
Let us state this clearly: the Joint Legislative Committee on MDA Compliance will not be swayed by attempts to bully or shame us into abandoning our duty. We will also not allow the actions of one member to tarnish the collective image of the Legislature.
Each member of this Committee were duly elected to represent the people, and we take that mandate seriously. We will continue to engage all issues of concession compliance through the proper channels, committee hearings, site visits, negotiations, and, where necessary, legal remedies, rather than on Facebook or through incendiary media soundbites.
Our authority as a Legislature is strongest when we act in unison with wisdom and facts, not when we are fragmented by discord.
We call on Honorable Twanyen to cease his public smear campaign and join hands with us in addressing the real issues at stake, for the good of our country.
The core mission of this Committee, and indeed the Legislature’s oversight of concessions, is to remove barriers to development and open up opportunities for struggling Liberians.
Everything we do is guided by the question: How can we ensure that Liberia’s natural resources and concession agreements translate into real benefits – jobs, infrastructure, social services for our people?
In line with that mission, our current visit to ArcelorMittal’s concession is aimed at identifying both the shortcomings and the opportunities in the company’s operations.
We are here to ensure that any lapses in AML’s compliance with the MDA are documented and addressed, and that any potential opportunities for greater local benefit, such as training, employment, or community projects, are maximized moving forward.
We acknowledge upfront that there have been reports, and even admissions, that ArcelorMittal has not fulfilled all of its obligations under the existing MDA.
Indeed, during a recent Senate hearing, AML management conceded several instances of non-compliance with key provisions of the agreement.
There are concerns ranging from community development funds to infrastructure commitments that have not been fully met. For example, we are aware of allegations that even after nearly two decades of operations, certain promised facilities like modern health centers for local communities have yet to materialize.
We do not take these issues lightly. On the contrary, it is because of these compliance concerns that we are in the field right now.
Our role as trustees of the people is to use wisdom and measured leadership to find solutions to these challenges, to ensure that the company’s lapses are corrected and that the promises made to our citizens are finally kept.
As some community leaders in Nimba have expressed, “ArcelorMittal has not delivered fully, but we will not rest until they meet every promise made to us.” This is the spirit that guides our work. However, let us stress that holding AML accountable does not require an acrimonious or treacherous agenda.
We can be firm without being inflexible; we can be assertive without being antagonistic.
Pursuing a path of acrimony, vengeance, or personal grandstanding would only serve to hinder progress and could even plunge our country into a deeper economic or social crisis.
We have seen in the past how confrontations can escalate to the point of scaring away investors, halting projects, or triggering layoffs, outcomes that would hurt Liberia far more than they hurt any corporate entity.
We refuse to push our nation toward such a crisis.
Instead, we choose a path of balanced, solution-oriented leadership: one that demands compliance and reforms from ArcelorMittal while also encouraging the company’s continued investment and expansion for the benefit of our people. In practical terms, this means we will be working to ensure that any unmet provisions of the MDA are remedied and all future obligations are strictly enforced, even as we support the positive aspects of AML’s expansion that can bring jobs and growth to Liberia.
Our responsibility as leaders is to remove unnecessary barriers and seize these opportunities for our struggling citizens, not to introduce new obstacles through infighting or political theatrics.
We are determined to strike the right balance: ensuring that ArcelorMittal lives up to its obligations to Liberia, while also ensuring that Liberia harnesses the full benefits of ArcelorMittal’s investment.
This balanced approach is how we will improve livelihoods and uphold the public interest.
At this critical juncture, the Joint Committee calls for unity, wisdom, and measured leadership from all stakeholders, our legislative colleagues, community leaders, and the Liberian public at large.
We cannot afford to be divided in the face of challenges that affect us all.
When Senator Twanyen or anyone else uses inflammatory rhetoric that pits leaders against each other, it only serves to weaken our collective position in negotiating the best outcomes for the Liberian people.
Instead of fighting one another, we should be working together to ensure ArcelorMittal delivers for Liberia.
It is imperative that we as leaders, especially those in elected positions, unite in negotiating the best outcomes from AML’s investment, not chase it away for personal, political, or financial gain.” This is a time for unity of purpose, not division, if we are to truly hold AML accountable and also promote an environment where investments can prosper for the good of the country.
Therefore, we invite Senator Twanyen to join us, not as an adversary, but as a fellow representative of the people, in a constructive, unified effort to resolve the issues with AML’s MDA.
We all share the same ultimate goal: to see that the people of Nimba and all of Liberia genuinely benefit from our nation’s resources and partnerships with investors.
Let us debate strategies and air concerns, yes, but let us do so respectfully and face-to-face around the table, not through Facebook posts that sow confusion among our citizens.
Now is the time to close ranks as a Legislature and speak with one voice in demanding what is right for our people, while also providing steady leadership that reassures our investors and international partners that Liberia remains a stable and rational place to do business.” The Joint Legislative committee maintained.
In conclusion, the Joint Legislative Committee on MDA Compliance reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Liberian people, stressing that their presence in Nimba county, is due to the seriousness about finding the facts, hearing from local communities, and seeing with their eyes what ArcelorMittal has done and not done.
Later Saturday, September, the joint Legislative committee will visit AML concession areas armed with questions and a resolve to ensure compliance with the law.
“We will report our findings transparently and work through the Legislature to take whatever actions are necessary to ensure that the Mineral Development Agreement is fully enforced and that the benefits due to our citizens are delivered.
But we will do so calmly, lawfully, and wisely, not through grandstanding or antagonism. Our people deserve results, not drama.
We urge all Liberians to remain patient and hopeful as we carry out this oversight.
The challenges with the AML concession are not insurmountable. With unity and a clear focus on solutions, we can ensure that ArcelorMittal rectifies any compliance failures and accelerates its contributions to our nation’s development.
We can ensure that the company’s expansion translates into real improvements in ordinary Liberians’ lives; more jobs, better roads, improved services, and increased revenue for our government to invest in public goods.
That is our focus: to remove barriers and open opportunities for the struggling people of Liberia.
Lastly, we call on our colleague, Senator Twanyen, and any others who share his concerns: join us in addressing these issues through constructive engagement rather than incendiary rhetoric.
Let’s present a united front in demanding compliance and fairness from ArcelorMittal, while also embracing a statesmanlike approach that safeguards the jobs and hopes of our people.
Liberia at this moment needs leadership that is firm yet fair, strong yet measured.
The Joint Committee stands ready to provide exactly that kind of leadership.
We thank the public for their attention and assure you all that this Committee will continue to act in the best interest of Liberia, using every tool at our disposal to ensure that our nation’s resources benefit the people and that our laws are respected by all investors.
Together, through unity and prudent action, we will overcome the challenges and secure a brighter future for our country.” The Joint Legislative committee statement concludes.
