Nimba County Senator Nya D. Twayen has called on the Liberian Senate to mandate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to release critical environmental documents related to the ongoing construction of ArcelorMittal’s $1.4 billion iron ore processing plant in Yekepa, Nimba County.
In a formal communication read during Tuesday’s session, Senator Twayen requested that the EPA submit the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the environmental management report, and the environmental permit for the project to the Senate Committee on Hydrocarbon, Energy, and Environment.
“Given the scale and potential impact of this project, it is imperative that this Honourable Body is adequately informed,” the Nimba lawmaker stated, stressing the need for transparency and due diligence.
He highlighted concerns over the plant’s potential effects on local communities, wildlife habitats, and forest ecosystems. According to the senator, it is essential for the Legislature to understand what environmental safeguards and monitoring mechanisms are in place.
“Citizens of Nimba and the entire country deserve to know how a project of this magnitude may affect public health, the environment, and our natural resources,” he said.
Senator Twayen concluded his communication by urging the Senate plenary to authorize the Senate Secretary to formally request the documents from the EPA for committee scrutiny and subsequent plenary debate.
His request comes amid increasing calls for environmental accountability and public oversight in large-scale concession and infrastructure developments across Liberia.
