The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has launched a revised guideline of the Community Development Agreement as part of efforts to stop disputes between communities and mining companies.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, revealed that 252 mining companies have signed the Community Development Agreement to provide basic infrastructures to host communities in Nigeria.
Alake, while giving his keynote address at the launch of the revised CDA in Abuja on Thursday, said the main objective is to create awareness of the importance of a Community Development Agreement for sustainable mineral resources development.
The minister admitted that mining projects have the potential to impact host communities either positively or negatively, adding that the negative effects are often met with incessant complaints and sometimes resistance that may trigger forceful closure or suspension of activities in the mines.
According to him, the agreements are a better means to help mining companies define their relationships and obligations with their host communities as it readily provide a means of strengthening and advancing their relationship.
He said, “The CDA can help prevent a repeat of social crises experienced in the Niger Delta by the oil sector, which may undermine the present efforts of the Federal Government aimed at diversifying our monolithic economy.
“So far, the ministry has recorded increased compliance level in the implementation of CDA covenants by MTH through field monitoring, enlightenment, education and sensitization exercises.
“A lot of successes have been recorded in the signing of Community Development Agreement between mining operators and their respective host communities.
“Presently, about 252 Companies have signed CDAs with their host communities with projects as the provision of boreholes, electricity, schools, health centres, road constructions and scholarships according to the identified needs of their host communities.”
Alake, who further noted that some companies have refused to sign the agreement, pledged to ensure that host communities are not cheated by the companies.
“However, there are still some companies that are yet to comply with the provision of this Section of the Act and the Ministry is not relenting on its enforcement to ensure that all MTHs comply accordingly,” he said.
