Published: June 11, 2025
MONROVIA, Liberia — Host communities in Nimba County have launched a fierce counterattack against Senator Nya D. Twayen Jr., accusing him of stalling development and politicizing the proposed renewal of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s (AML) concession agreement.
At a press conference Wednesday, June 11, former senatorial candidate Armstrong Gobac Selekpoh, speaking on behalf of the affected communities, branded Twayen’s opposition to the AML Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) renewal as “anti-development” and “self-serving,” accusing the senator of pursuing a political agenda at the expense of constituents.
The communities’ statement followed Sen. Twayen’s remarks at the Capitol Building on Tuesday, where he reaffirmed the Nimba Legislative Caucus’s position to withhold support for the AML deal unless several longstanding demands are met. Those conditions include a paved Sanniquellie–Yekepa road, increased Social Development Fund contributions, an end to container-style housing, and the appointment of a Liberian to one of AML’s top executive roles.
Twayen also called for the clearing of outstanding scholarship obligations, transparent and audited community development funding, and quarterly compliance reviews. He accused AML of inflating its proposed $1.8 billion iron ore concentrator project and criticized the company’s failure to improve basic infrastructure in its operating areas.
“This investment cannot be justified when communities still lack paved roads,” he told reporters, returning from an official visit to the United States.
Twayen also raised alarm over AML’s alleged failure to meet its $200,000 annual scholarship commitment since 2007, and accused the company of using transfer pricing to avoid fair tax payments.
Communities Fire Back
Selekpoh, however, dismissed Twayen’s claims, alleging the senator had failed to engage the very people he represents.
“He has never visited Yekepa for a community dialogue,” Selekpoh said. “When citizens come to meet him in Monrovia, he turns them away.”
He further accused Twayen of undermining Nimba Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono’s grassroots efforts to engage communities constructively. “The senator is angry because the superintendent is gaining popularity among citizens,” he said.
Selekpoh also alleged that during Twayen’s recent U.S. trip, he received money from lobbyists linked to High Power Exploration (HPX) to campaign against AML’s agreement—a claim that has not been independently verified.
“We’re not against HPX or any company,” Selekpoh stated. “Our issue is getting what’s due to us.”
AML’s Investments Highlighted
Defending AML, Selekpoh cited the company’s reported $47 million in community investments between 2006 and April 2024, including:
- 243 km of railroad rehabilitation
- Full restoration of Buchanan Port
- Over $424 million in taxes and royalties paid
- Expansion of the Vocational Training Center
- Scholarship programs benefitting 99 students
- Health infrastructure and community facilities
- Recent aptitude tests for over 1,000 youths, with more than 150 recruits
“These are tangible results that are improving lives,” Selekpoh argued. “This investment is already delivering.”
Call for Dialogue
Despite the heated exchanges, Selekpoh urged calm and called on the government and AML to broaden stakeholder consultations, including with youth, women, and civil society.
“We want to be part of the process,” he said. “We stand with this investment and call for constructive engagement to ensure mutual benefit.”
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