Senator Twayen Accuses Senate, AML of Backroom Dealings in Nimba – Calls for Urgent Investigation
- Michael T
- Sep 20
- 2 min read
GANTA, Liberia – Senator Nya Twayen has accused the Liberian Senate’s Joint Legislative Committee of colluding with ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) for what he called a luxury junket to the iron ore concession area — denouncing both lawmakers and executives for flouting protocols, enabling gross violations of the Mineral Development Agreement, and sidelining Nimba leaders.
“AML’s chauffeured tour of Senators and Representatives doesn’t conceal your wanton abuses of the MDA. The people of Nimba and Liberia are owed, and any lawmaker who tries to rubber-stamp renewal is working against our nation,” Twayen posted, warning of lawsuits and public backlash.
He slammed the so-called ‘Joint Committee’ as unauthorized, noting that Senate leadership and plenary never sanctioned this trip — a violation of legislative procedure he calls ‘surreptitious and sinister.’
Senate leaders quickly fired back with accusations of “reckless misinformation,” defending their oversight visit as transparent and lawful. But nagging realities persist: the committee admitted AML’s non-compliance, and vital community projects — like promised health centers — remain missing after nearly two decades of mining.
Twayen pounced, stressing AML’s admission that its investment was just $250 million, a fraction of the $1.4 billion previously claimed. Lawmakers absent from formal notification and without caucus consultation have cast doubt over the legitimacy of this delegation. Insiders allege AML skipped mandatory government meetings, choosing instead to “lure lawmakers” for private talks — a breach critics say deepens mistrust and subverts genuine oversight.
This is no mere bureaucratic spat. Liberia’s legislative guardianship of billion-dollar concessions appears compromised by corporate influence and internal disarray. AML, the country’s largest private employer, wields formidable leverage, extracting loyalty while missing development targets and obligations year after year.
Senate leaders, critics argue, seem more preoccupied with optics than holding corporate feet to the fire.
Senator Twayen, never one to mince words, summed up the public mood: “Gone are the days when corporate mischief prevails. AML must fix the past, fulfill the present, and comply — or risk the courts and denial of renewal.”
Liberia faces a pivotal moment. Oversight must be strong, not just for show. Real action—not words—is needed for true accountability. The future of Nimba and all Liberia depends on it.
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