Gom Mirian
The Federal Government has begun moves to tackle problems arising from friction between exploration companies and inhabitants of host communities.
To this end, it held a crucial compliance stakeholders meeting in Abuja on Thursday to discuss the gaps observed in the existing Community Development Agreement (CDA) mining guidelines.
The consultative meeting was convened by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, with support from Ford Foundation.
Stakeholders at the meeting discussed sundry concerns on transfer and inclusivity, as well as compliance with global best practices.
In her presentation, Dr. Okono Vivian, a Director in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development(MMSD), highlighted some problems in the current CDA Guidelines, including misconception of the Community Development, overbearing influence of the traditional rulers and chiefs in order to be sole beneficiaries of what’s meant for
the Community at large to a few individuals, and unreasonable demands by the communities to the companies.
To address these problems, she continued, the current CDA guidelines must be amended to create comprehensive CDA guidelines that include all mining-related community concerns.
She said: “With the communities becoming more aware and vocal about their socio-economic benefits from mining companies, their expectations for immediate and future benefits have increased. Also, the mining companies are now more concerned about the need and means by which to obtain and sustain their social licenses to operate as well as for community support.
“To facilitate the implementation of the CDA and address some of the issues mentioned earlier, the Ministry
had in 2014 developed a Guideline for Use in the Sector, taking into consideration the shortcomings often associated with CDA documents previously submitted to the Ministry by the Mineral Title Holders, However, in the course of the review of
CDA documents submitted by the MTHs with their host communities over the past years, the Ministry has identified some gaps in the existing CDA Guidelines and due to numerous Complaints and petitions from the communities, there is an urgent need for a review of the guidelines to meet.”
In his submission, the Executive Director, Centre LSD, Mr. Monday Osasah, expressed satisfaction and optimism in the successful conclusion of the compliance stakeholders meeting.
He said that the reviewed guidelines would strengthen the legal framework, improve compliance, and foster development in both the communities where mining projects are located and the country’s mining sector in general.
