By Grace Bryant Mollay & Solomon T. Gaye/Nimba
Members of the Nimba County Legislative Caucus have expressed sharp disapproval over what they describe as the deliberate exclusion of the caucus from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s recent visit to ArcelorMittal Liberia’s operations in Yekepa.
President Boakai visited Yekepa to officially dedicate ArcelorMittal Liberia’s US$1.5 billion iron ore expansion project, an initiative hailed as a major milestone for the country’s mining sector and economic future.
However, the event has drawn criticism from lawmakers representing Nimba, the host county, for what they say was a lack of proper consultation and inclusion.
Lawmakers who should have graced the ceremony like Rep. Musa Bility, Sen. Nya Twayen, Rep. Saye S. Mianah, Rep. Dorwahn Twain Gleekia, Rep. Nehker E. Gaye, Rep. Ernest Manseah, Sen. Samuel Kogar, and Rep. TaaWongbe were all noticeably absent.
In a strongly worded statement issued shortly after the event, Rep. Bility condemned the Executive Branch for sidelining the broader Nimba Legislative Caucus. Of the eleven lawmakers from the county, only two were reportedly present and without the endorsement of the full caucus.
“This exclusion is not only a slight against us as elected officials, but also a clear disregard for the people of Nimba whom we represent. The President was a guest in our county and failed to engage with its legitimate voices,” Bility said.
Bility stressed that the timing of the visit was especially critical coming just four years before the expiration of ArcelorMittal’s current Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) and amid ongoing renegotiations.
The Nimba Caucus has consistently raised concerns about the MDA’s terms and has called for more equitable benefits for the county and its residents.
“While we welcome investment and economic expansion, it cannot come at the expense of local communities. There can be no true development without inclusion. The people of Nimba have borne the environmental and infrastructural burden of this concession for decades,” he said.
He described the visit as a missed opportunity to directly raise key concerns with both the President and Vice President. “Instead of dialogue, we witnessed pomp and pageantry without substance,” he added.
Bility called on the national government to adopt a more inclusive and transparent approach to the MDA renegotiations. “The voices of Nimba must be heard. This is our land. These are our resources. And our people deserve better.”
He also encouraged citizens of Nimba to remain vigilant and engaged in efforts to ensure the county’s natural resources are managed in a way that is accountable and beneficial to its people.
Senator Nya Twayen echoed Bility’s frustrations, taking direct aim at ArcelorMittal for what he called over two decades of operations in Nimba without meaningful improvements to local infrastructure or living conditions.
“For more than 20 years, ArcelorMittal has failed to declare profits. By law, we are entitled to receive royalties which they are paying, though disproportionately small and also dividends from declared profits. Yet, none of this has materialized,” Twayen said.
He highlighted the deepening dissatisfaction among Nimba residents over ArcelorMittal’s presence and reiterated that the Caucus’ current stance reflects extensive consultations with constituents and local stakeholders.
Twayen declared that the days of “eluding and deluding” the people of Nimba are over, emphasizing that the current generation of young and middle-aged lawmakers is committed to ensuring that the county’s natural wealth results in visible, sustainable development.
At the heart of the Caucus’ demands are critical infrastructure and social service improvements. Chief among these is the complete pavement of the Sanniquellie-to-Yekepa road—a key commercial artery that remains in deplorable condition.
Twayen also called for the long-overdue completion and relocation of the J.W. Harley Hospital, stressing the urgent need for a fully functional healthcare facility in the area.
Additionally, the Caucus demands that roads within AML-affected communities be regularly maintained, with the company committing to year-round upkeep of both major and feeder roads in its concession zone.
Education and healthcare infrastructure were also key concerns. Lawmakers are calling for significant upgrades to schools and clinics in communities impacted by mining activities.
The Senator further criticized AML’s decision to house workers in shipping containers rather than refurbish existing residential units in Yekepa, warning that the county may reclaim and renovate the properties under its own initiative if the company fails to act.
The Caucus is also pushing for meaningful employment opportunities for qualified Nimbaians—particularly in managerial and decision-making roles within AML’s operations.
“These are not just requests—they are demands that reflect the legitimate aspirations of the people of Nimba,” Senator Twayen asserted.
He made it clear that unless these issues are fully addressed, the Caucus will strongly oppose any renewal of ArcelorMittal’s concession agreement.
“Look at the muddy, dilapidated road leading to and around this so-called billion-dollar installation, it’s shameful. AML will either yield to the people’s demands or leave. It’s that simple,” he expressed.
Rep. Bility took his hurt to the radio in the county specifically the Voice of Gompa, when he informed his kinsmen emphasizing, “The 11 lawmakers were not informed about the visit of President Boakai to Yekepa and names of the caucus members were not included on the program sheet for remarks.”
“Let me take this time to inform all residents in the county that members of the Nimba Legislative Caucus were left out of the program; the Executive Branch of government disappointed us the caucus of Nimba,” Rep. Bility amplified.
“We are the host of the program, ArcelorMittal’s operation will end in 2030, the government needs to review the first Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) before signing another agreement with the company,” the lawmaker surmised.
The chairperson of the Nimba County Caucus, Representative Saye Maineh, buttressed adding that the entire lawmakers of Nimba were marginalized during the program in Yekepa.
“We were supposed to speak on a series of failed issues linking the company and the alleged failure of some of the MDA projects but, the Nimba Legislative Caucus was denied the opportunity to speak. This is a clever attempt to escape the review of the MDA with the company,” Rep Maineh pointed out.
Representative Nyan Flomo also remarked by pointing out that the first MDA covered the pavement of Sanniquellie-Yekepa Highway; the relocation of Yekepa Hospital as well as the construction of 2,900 housing units among other projects.
Meanwhile, the visit of President Boakai in Yekepa was marked by peaceful demonstrations from youth groups in demand of better working conditions, payment of affected communities, among other things.
