So, get this – the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, spilled the beans that a whopping 252 mining companies have signed up to provide basic infrastructures to their host communities in Nigeria. He mentioned that these mining projects could have a big impact on the communities, either for better or for worse.
But here’s the kicker – when things go south, the communities start complaining and might even put up a fight, which could lead to the mines being shut down. Alake thinks that by having these Community Development Agreements (CDAs), they can avoid a repeat of the social crises that went down in the oil sector in the Niger/Delta. He’s worried that it could mess up the government’s efforts to mix things up in our economy.
Alake was all fired up at the launch of the revised CDA in Abuja. He said, “We’ve been keeping an eye on things, and it looks like more mining companies are playing by the rules and doing their bit for the communities. We’ve got a solid 252 companies on board, and they’re working on projects like boreholes, electricity, schools, health centers, road constructions, and scholarships. They’re tailoring these projects to fit the needs of their host communities.
But hold up, there are still some companies dragging their feet on this, and the Ministry isn’t taking it lying down. They’re going all out to make sure every single mining company steps up and does what they’re supposed to do.”