In order to ensure a win-win situation for operating companies and host communizes, the Federal Government in collaboration with the African Center for Leadership Strategy and Development (Center LSD) on Thursday, unveiled revised guidelines for the production of Community Development Agreements (CDAs) in the solid minerals sector.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, said the unveiling of the revised guidelines signifies the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu administration to improving the security of the mining environment through new security architecture.
While saying that there are laws in force to regulate activities between miners and host communities, the minister stated that “there must be material benefits for host communities.’
A statement edited by Georgina Humphrey quoted the minister as saying: “Everyone of us in this hall comes from one host community or the other. We come from somewhere, and that’s a host community, So, when we talk about energizing, enhancing the situation of host communities, we are talking about ourselves.”
He also mandated host communities and operating companies to sign Community Development Agreements (CDAs).
According to him, the Tinubu administration is putting in place policies and regulatory frameworks that is already changing the face of the solid minerals sector, noting that the sector suffered grievous neglect for many years.
While saying that the ministry is not oblivious to the transition to clean energy globally, the minister explained that for the survival of the economy, the focus has been shifted to the country’s God-given resource that is in abundance in solid minerals.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of the African Center for Leadership Strategy and Development, Mr. Monday Osasah said the African continent is blessed with enormous human and natural resources. He however expressed concern that mineral endowments have not been deployed for the development of the continent.
This, Osasah said is a result of deficit in leadership and strategy, adding that inappropriate development approaches need to be deployed. He said it is in order to bridge the gap that the Center came into collaboration with the solid minerals ministry.
Mr. Osasah stressed that the center had identified three challenges and had trained people for leadership roles for optimal performance in running government businesses.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe commended the group for collaborating with the ministry for the review of production and launch of key development agreements that would ensure socioeconomic benefits to mining host communities.
“It is a legal document that contains obligations of mineral titles holders to their host communities, these guidelines have been reviewed to meet global best practices and sensitize title holders and the general public on the need for sustainable mineral resources department in Nigeria,” she added.
Also in his goodwill message, the National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Ayanleke commended the ministry for the level of development in the mining sector since the inauguration of the present administration.
