By Rufus Divine Brooks Jr.
The highly significant and controversial Concession and Access Agreement (CAA) between the Government of Liberia (GOL) and global mining giant IVANHOE was officially submitted to the Liberian Senate on Thursday, marking the start of the legislative ratification process for this multi-million-dollar regional infrastructure deal.
This agreement holds strategic importance as it grants IVANHOE rights to use Liberia’s existing railway infrastructure, specifically the vital Yekepa-Buchanan corridor, to transport large quantities of high-grade iron ore extracted from the company’s concessions in neighboring Guinea.
If ratified, the deal would position Liberia as a key regional transshipment hub via the Port of Buchanan. However, the process immediately sparked calls for stringent legislative oversight, fueled by historical grievances and concerns over fairness and transparency.
Senator Nya Twayen of Nimba County, whose constituency includes the industrial heart of the railway corridor, acknowledged the potential for economic growth and regional cooperation but emphasized that the Legislature would not approve the agreement without rigorous scrutiny.
From his Capitol office, Senator Twayen stated that his constitutional duty compels him to ensure the CAA is grounded in fairness, transparency, and equitable benefit-sharing, especially for communities directly impacted by the railway.
He stressed the importance of recognizing the railway’s troubled history. “Communities along the corridor have suffered decades of environmental damage, significant loss of productive farmland, and forced displacement under previous concession regimes-often without adequate compensation or lasting social benefits,” he explained.
“Any further use or expansion of this critical infrastructure, particularly the Yekepa-Buchanan corridor, must directly address these past injustices and compensate for the socio-economic and environmental costs that remain unaddressed,” Senator Twayen declared firmly.
He issued a stern warning to both the Executive branch and corporate stakeholders, affirming that the Legislature is prepared to conduct thorough due diligence. “The era of signing harmful agreements that undermine the rights and dignity of our people is over,” he asserted, signaling the Senate’s readiness to resist any pressure for rushed approval.
Adding complexity to the legislative process is a dispute over contingent funds tied to the agreement. Senator Twayen, who serves on the influential Senate Committee on Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget, raised serious concerns about the Executive branch’s handling of the financial aspects.
The IVANHOE deal reportedly includes a US$10 million ratification bonus and a US$15 million access fee-totaling US$25 million-which are contingent upon the Legislature’s approval and granting of access rights. Senator Twayen argued strongly against including these conditional payments in the current draft national budget before the treaty undergoes full legislative scrutiny.
He warned that incorporating these funds prematurely creates undue pressure on lawmakers. “This tactic essentially hijacks the ratification process by forcing lawmakers to approve the agreement hastily to secure anticipated revenue, thereby bypassing the careful examination needed to protect national interests and the welfare of affected communities,” he cautioned.
The CAA now proceeds to relevant Senate committees-including Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget, as well as Concessions and Mining, for comprehensive review, where its financial and socio-environmental provisions are expected to face intense scrutiny in the coming weeks.
