Centre LSD/MSMD Commences Sensitization of Mining Stakeholders on Revised Guidelines for Preparing CDAs

[Centre LSD]

For Immediate Release.

Nassarawa, Nassarawa State. 

April 17, 2024.

Centre LSD/MSMD Commences Sensitization of Mining Stakeholders on Revised Guidelines for Preparing CDAs

The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD), has today commenced the sensitization of stakeholders in the solid minerals sector on the content of the revised guidelines for preparing Community Development Agreements (CDAs) in the solid mineral sector in Nigeria. The flag-off meeting, which had over 100 participants in attendance, was held today in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The meeting, presided over by the MSMD Director of Mines Environment Compliance (MEC) department, had host community members, investors, mineral title holders, trade unions, and various community groups in attendance.

Recall that the Centre partnered with the ministry in 2023 to revise the CDA guidelines to include intersectional issues and make it more inclusive, which was subsequently launched in November by the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development.

It, therefore, became pertinent that stakeholders in the mining industry be sensitized on the content of the revised CDA guidelines to ensure compliance. The Centre used the opportunity to introduce participants to the hostcommunities.ng web and mobile app. The application, developed in partnership with the ministry, will ensure transparency in the execution of CDA projects and make it easy for host community members to track and report on CDA projects directly to the ministry.

In her welcome remarks, the Executive Director of Centre LSD, represented by the Director of Development, Dr. Margaret Fagboyo, said the Centre shares the goal of a thriving mining sector that benefits all stakeholders with the ministry, which includes:

•     Host communities receiving fair compensation for the resources extracted from their lands.

•     Investors operating in a safe and secure environment, and

•     The government collecting appropriate revenue to fund public services.

A statement released by the Programme Coordinator of Centre LSD and manager of the project, said collaboration with the ministry has yielded tangible results and is now in its fifth phase.

In the first phase, we conducted a national study to assess the efficacy of CDAs in Nigerian mining communities. This research identified key issues and bottlenecks impacting their implementation. Based on these findings, we engaged with the ministry to revise the CDA guidelines for the solid minerals sector. The ministry's commitment to wide stakeholder consultations during this revision process is commendable. In the third phase, we produced and aired a documentary titled "Voices from the Pits," which highlights the experiences of mining host communities and marginalized groups, to raise awareness among policymakers and industry operators. 

For the fourth phase, we developed the hostcommunities.ng app, a mobile and web platform allowing community members to report CDA breaches, environmental concerns, and sexual and gender-based violence directly to the MEC directorate.

The sensitization meetings marked the commencement of the fifth phase. The choice of Nasarawa for the flag-off of the sensitization meeting was because it has the highest concentration of mining activities in Nasarawa State - the home of solid minerals. Similar sensitization events will be held in Ebonyi and Edo states in the coming weeks.

The Centre urges all stakeholders to actively participate and ensure fair agreements that protect livelihoods and promote sustainable development of mining host communities for a shared future where mining benefits everyone involved.

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