By: Abraham K. Morris
Nimba County Senator Nyan D. Tweyan has warned the nation: “Stop. Slow down. Think. The proposed Third Amendment to the ArcelorMittal Mineral Development Agreement is no small tweak. It’s a massive shake-up.” “This is a consequential restructuring, not a technical tweak,” Senator Tweyan declared. The controversy? Ownership switch. All rights move from ArcelorMittal Switzerland AG to ArcelorMittal USA Liberia Holdings LLC — a brand-new entity formed just days before the deal was signed.
“Who exactly was the Government negotiating with? ArcelorMittal Switzerland or ArcelorMittal USA?” Tweyan says the move creates serious risk. “Accountability? Unclear. Liability?Shaky. Enforceability? Questionable,” he continued.
“A concessionaire cannot repackage itself and weaken accountability while keeping access to our mineral wealth!” He noted.
The senator tore into the so-called: “Restated and consolidated agreement, calling it a cover-up waiting to happen. Past breaches? Penalties? Community rights? All could be swept under the rug.
Even worse, all lands — mined, untouched, future zones — are bundled as one “production area.” “Development delayed is development denied,” Tweyan said. Communities could be locked in limbo, while minerals sit idle.
Social commitments? Gone. Roads, bridges, schools, hospitals — no guarantees. Just a vague future plan months after ratification. Deferring binding obligations is unacceptable. It strips oversight. It strips justice,” the senator said. He has demanded full transparency before lawmakers sign off: transfer documents; beneficial ownership affidavits; audited financial statements and enforceable social impact plans.
“This is not anti-investment. It is pro-Liberia. Pro-rule of law. Pro-community,” he emphasized.
Until safeguards are locked in, Senator Tweyan said: “No approval. No shortcuts. No compromises.
“The people of Nimba County, and the people of Liberia, deserve better than uncertainty, deferred promises, and weakened oversight. Concession compliance is not optional. Development must be real. Enforceable…”