Gold-Mining : FG pledges to give host communities material benefits

The federal government is committed to making sure that local host communities gain as much as possible from mining operations in their territory.

At the announcement of the updated guidelines for the creation of community development agreements (CDAs) in the solid minerals sector in collaboration with the African Center for Leadership Strategy and Development in Abuja, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr. Oladele Alake made this statement.

Dr. Alake stated that a new security architecture is now being developed as part of the administration headed by President Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing mining environment security.

“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 stressed.

The minister said that there is also a law that mandates and regulates activities between miners and host communities.

“There must be material benefits for these host communities. There is a clause in the Nigerian Mining Act that affects host communities,” Alake said.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe appreciated the group for collaborating with the ministry for the review of production and launch of key development agreement that ensure socioeconomic benefits to mining host communities.

“It is a legal document that contains obligations of mineral titles holders to their host communities, these guild lines have been reviewed to meet up with global best practices and sensitize title holders and 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 that is happening around the mining sector since the inauguration of this present administration.