MONROVIA – Senator Nya D. Twayen of Nimba County has taken a firm stance against three major concession agreements currently under national review, insisting that none of the companies have met the minimum standards required for legislative approval. In a statement issued on Monday, December 8, 2025, the Senator, who serves as the lead campaigner for concession compliance, said his office completed a comprehensive assessment of the Ivanhoe, ORANTO Petroleum, and ArcelorMittal concessions and found troubling gaps across all three.
Senator Twayen explained that the review was guided by a consistent principle, ensuring that every concession adheres to Liberian laws, respects established procedures, and protects the long-term interests of the Liberian people. He said the intent is not to obstruct investment but to ensure that investors operate responsibly, transparently, and in a manner that benefits host communities. “Our focus remains the same: full compliance with the laws of Liberia, respect for established procedures, and protection of the interests of our people,” Senator Twayen declared.
According to Senator Twayen, the Ivanhoe Concession Access Agreement scored a 77 percent compliance rating, which falls significantly short of the 85 percent minimum threshold he insists must be met before he can support ratification. He stressed that key conditions must be satisfied before the agreement can move forward. He noted that the road intended for transporting iron ore from Nimba to the Guinea border must be fully paved to prevent environmental and health hazards for communities along the route. He further stated that under no circumstances should Liberia be held liable to repay US$37 million previously disbursed to the former administration due to delays beyond the government’s control.
The Senator also said a clear rail operations framework involving the Government of Liberia, Ivanhoe, and ArcelorMittal must be presented before any legislative action is taken. In addition, he emphasized that the community development fund component must be specific, time-bound, and fully controlled by the government and the communities, not shared with the concession company. “We will not vote for any concession that fails to reach at least 85 percent in good standing,” Senator Twayen warned.
The ORANTO Petroleum concession received an even lower compliance rating, 72 percent, which Senator Twayen described as unacceptable for a sector as sensitive as oil exploration. He called on ORANTO to provide evidence of fresh seismic data purchases for the four oil blocks under consideration, noting that the company cannot rely on decade-old data that has already been monetized. He explained that updated data would generate US$200,000 per block for the government, amounting to US$800,000 in expected revenue. He also insisted that Liberia’s 25 percent stake in the concession must not depend on funds that Liberians may struggle to mobilize over an extended period.
Senator Twayen further argued that ORANTO must demonstrate its operational capacity by showing verifiable records of offshore activities in other jurisdictions. Such evidence, he said, is essential to prove the company’s ability to manage complex petroleum operations. Without these assurances, he maintained, the concession cannot receive legislative support because the risks to Liberia are too high.
On ArcelorMittal Liberia, Senator Twayen disclosed that the Legislature has not received any new agreement from the company despite ongoing discussions. He revealed that his office has spent seven months documenting major noncompliance issues and serious violations of the existing Mineral Development Agreement. These findings, he said, have been shared with President Joseph Boakai and the Nimba Legislative Caucus. He also confirmed that a detailed fact sheet has been submitted to the Liberian Senate and all relevant committees to guide their review once a new agreement is submitted.
Senator Twayen insisted that ArcelorMittal must first correct all past violations before any new deal can be considered. “AML must fully honor and retroactively implement the obligations it has already violated under the current MDA. This must be a binding condition before the start of any new agreement,” he emphasized.
Throughout his statement, Senator Twayen underscored his commitment to ensuring that concessionaires respect Liberian communities and national interests. He reaffirmed that his office will continue advocating for fairness, accountability, and equitable benefits for citizens affected by concession activities. “The resources of Liberia belong to the people of Liberia, and every concession must reflect that principle,” he concluded.
