The Federal Government has ordered mining operators in the country to as a matter of urgency obtain Community Development Agreement (CDA).

Noting that Community Development Agreement is very critical to the mining sector, the federal government tasked mining operators to be responsible to the communities where they operate, warning that, no operator should be allowed to operate henceforth in the sector without the Community Development Agreement.

This was disclosed in Abuja, by the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), during its sensitisation meeting between miners and host communities in Bwari Area Council to discuss issues as it relates to mining activities in the Area Council.

The FCT Mines Environmental Compliant officer and a member of the committee from the Ministry of Mines and Steel, Engr. Osseini Enoch Ukwenya, said that, “The committee is also to ensure adherence to the agreement signed by the operators.”

According to him, “There is bound to be disagreement between the operators and the host communities, which I believe is subject to negotiation as mining affects every community including displacement.

“And, displacement, should bring about compensation to the owner of the land as the land may not be useful to the owner for a long time even after mining activities.”

Ekwenya, said the recurring issue between the operators and the host communities had been that of pollution, as well as the inability of the operators to keep to the agreement entered into with the communities.

“The committee has to advise on matter of pollution, how does it affect the community and what is the operator doing to minimise the pollution. It is the duty of the operators to ensure that the pollution in their areas of operation are brought to minimal level.

“Mining operators has to be responsible to the community where they are operating and the committee is putting all hands on deck to ensure that no operator operates in any community without a Community Development Agreement, which is very critical to the ministry. The committee is also to ensure adherence to the agreement signed by the operators.”

He agreed that there were issues that needed to be addressed in the Mineral and Mining Act, which he said were part of what the committee needed to resolve, based on complaints received from host communities and the operators.

“We will be able to marry them together for proper legislation, what we call an annexure to the present existing Mineral Act to help streamline the process and for a proper activities of mining and the benefits of the communities,” he said.

He, however, appealed to aggrieved parties to channel their grievances through the appropriate authorities, “especially through the committee, in order to ensure that no one takes law into his or her hand as the committee is set to address issues of grievances.”

Similarly, the Federal Mines Officer in charge of FCT and Secretary of the Committee, Engr. Ayelabola Olubunmi, noted that part of the reasons for the meeting was to remind the operators of their social responsibilities to the host communities based on community development.

He also stressed the need to strengthen the grey areas in the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007, which he said will help, in making more inputs into the sector through legislation.

He appealed for the cooperation of Etsu of Bwari and other District Heads present at the meeting, to ensure a peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationship between the host communities and the operators while encouraging the operators to do more community projects and engage them on social responsibility.

On his part, the Etsu of Bwari, HRH Ibrahim Yaro (JP), commended the Ministry for constituting the Committee which he believed would bring about peace and sustainability between the operators and the host communities.

He pointed out the need for the Committee to always copy him, as the paramount ruler when issuing licences to operators within his domain.

https://www.miningng.com/fg-orders-mining-companies-to-obtain-community-development-agreement/

BUHARI Till 2023

Wow this is a great idea. Its no more business as usual.

Everyone who takes from the community in the name of mining must also give back to the community.

However measures should be put in place to ensure that a few community heads would not hijack this for their own personal gain thereby leaving the community as it is and making the people blame the FG again

good one, this is an ovation achievement for buhari again. zombies will soon start to dey leek bubu shit now

This should have been the Norm , but as usual the greedy bastards in the know will always collect bribes and skip the right procedure, they think only of developing their pockets instead of developing the community


I heard that a chinese firm was forced to provide solar power , monthly bonus , water and amenities in an african country for mining something there

Ordinary asteroid that was discovered in a village in Nigeria , we did not hear anything of it anymore

Very very good

This can only be achieve by serious government,not paddy paddy government

Community development agreement =agreement on how much will be paid to the community leader so the company can further rape the community in peace

This is a welcomed development, FG should also extend it by ensuring that oil companies sign CDA with their host communities, that way the oil companies will tak adequate care of their host communities as most of them are a big mess today.

Okoo

I hope this will not lead to another Niger Delta Issue. Community Development Agreement that is not clearly defined will definitely lead to problems in the future.

clarocuzioo:
This is a welcomed development, FG should also extend it by ensuring that oil companies sign CDA with their host communities, that way the oil companies will tak adequate care of their host communities as most of them are a big mess todag.

Yes 100%

We are strongly behind u here in Otueke.

PMB til 2023

The jobless lazy aggressive idiotic pigs will not see this

Hmmmnnn.... Dis is a good development

hmmmmmm, not too comfortable about this.
The fg should determine how such document is issued by the host community, else, we have companies buying a baale, chief, seriki or obong to give the document and the community not benefiting anything.
I think the community should sign an agreement with the company stating a project to be carried out by the company with community choosing locations while the company supervise with them choosing contractors at their discretion

Good move from reasonable government

Long live myself and my family

Long live PMB

Long live Nigeria

Its already the law. I wonder why this announcement was made. You can find it in 2007 mining act section 116. The only parties who dont follow this rule are illegal miners and maybe miners who operated before law passed. Getting this agreement is just as neccessary as getting EIA and having lsbd reclamation plan.

Every mining article I post already mentioned a company engaging in corprate development. I always find it interesting on top of companies paying taxes they slso have to develop commuity. CSP is important but what is state snd local governments doing.

Noise. CDA has been a prerequisite for application of mining leases long before now, its nothing new. No company can operate without it, the challenge is usually within the community who gives CDAs ignorantly and hastily

Lets not holler Uhuru.
This is a foolery.
Simply because the North produces minerals, you take such actions to their favour while we in the south do same, you call NSCDC to arrest us and call us thieves and sort of names?
On restructuring we Stand!

Are skull miners part of this development?