Liberian News: Affected Communities in the ArcelorMittal Concession Area Reject Senator Twayen’s Assertion
-Embrace New Arcelormittal MDA
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Monrovia-Affected Communities in the ArcelorMittal Concession Areas have strongly rejected Senator Nya Twayen’s call that the government should not renew the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with Company, citing the company’s alleged failure to meet the,needs and aspirations of the people of Nimba County.
Senator Twayen said the company should leave the country, instead of renewing its MDA. ArcelorMittal current MDA with the government of Liberia expires in six years time.
Affected Communities Spokesman, Armstrong Gobac Seiekpoh accused Senator Twayen of being interested in only seeking his benefit and that of the people of Nimba, forgetting to recognise ArcelorMittal’ invaluable and incredible contributions to the socio-economic growth and development of the county, as well as the entire country over the years.
Spokesman Seiekpoh told a press conference on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Monrovia that the fact the government of Liberia has asked for the review of the MDA shows how the Company has complied with all its requirements and commitments.
According to him, between 2006 and April 2024, AML went beyond its MDA commitments and obligations to invest S47 million in the socioeconomic upliftment of communities in its operational areas and parts of the country.
He further disclosed that the Company fulfilled 21 commitments under Section 1 of the MDA including road rehabilitation (243 km completed), the rehabilitation of Buchanan port, operational, employment quotas (met or exceeded all MDA targets), and Secondment of Government staff.
Other areas enumerated by Spokesman Seiekpoh are Vocational Training Center (rehabilitated and expanded), Advanced Scholarships Program (99 awarded, 46% graduated), and Access to schooling for dependents (1,080 students enrolled).
When it comes to Taxes and royalties, he said AML paid over $424 million, the same with Security, human rights and VPSHR standards, Community health, and infrastructure investments.
Justifying why AML MDA should be renegotiated, he highlighted the company’s environmental Management Reports submitted to the EPA Physical inspection that captured 35-60 water quality monitoring sites.
Spokesman Seiekpoh also spoke of AML gesture of 40 scholarships at the Nimba County Community College (NCCC), provision of 150,000 indigenous seedlings, replanting of 25 conservation agreements , training of 785 farmers trained at Farmer Field Schools, among others.
Other areas AML excelled, he said, include 15 acres of Swamp development, 8.8 acres of Conservation agriculture demonstration sites, 22 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA’s), among others.
Mr. Seiekpoh also said it is frustrating that at the time the company was not meeting its obligations enshrined in the MDA, and he is mobilizing the people of Nimba to ensure their views are included in the new MDA, Senator Twayen is attacking the company.
He alleged: “in all his years with the government, at NASSCORP, he never attended any meeting concerning concession, and never supported any student groups of community development initiatives.”
“In July 2013, Nya defended the government’s decision to seize the Nimba County social development fund to compensate for the destruction caused by citizens. This is when Nya was at NASSCORP milking free money,” he further said.
The Affected Communities Spokesman said Senator Twayen does not care about the nearly 10,000 jobs created by AML, but he is bent on pushing the company out of Liberia by his shameful comments.
He further disclosed that the fact that Senator Twayen is talking about the Company returning from America means that he is interested in another company.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.
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