The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) on Thursday, launched the revised guidelines for Community Development Agreement (CDA) in the mining sector.
Giving the keynote address at the event, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake emphasised that the essence of the revised guidelines is to ensure host communities derive maximum benefits from the operations of mining companies in an atmosphere devoid of disputes whilst the requisite royalties accruable to government is secured for economic development.
” The objective is also to ensure government derives maximum benefits from the exploitation of our mineral resources. Today, in the global market, mineral resources are replacing oil. The world is moving from pollution-based liquid minerals like fossil fuel, hydrocarbons, and the likes to clean energy. Solid minerals constitute clean energy. Gold, bauxite, kaolin, especially the Lithium that has already earned itself a pride of place in the global economy, we have them in abundance, and the sky is the starting point, if we sanitise the environment of our mining sector operation. A crucial part of that is the launch of this revised CDA guidelines, “the Minister buttressed.
Throwing more light on the aim of the revised guidelines, the Minister asserted that mining sector operators will make due profits, host communities will also get maximum beneficiation while the era of government at all levels being shortchanged in taxes and royalties will become a thing of the past.
” The onus falls on us as regulators to play our own part to ensure the enforcement of all these guidelines. The host communities must also ensure a free and unfettered environment for smooth operations. The companies, too, must ensure that host communities enjoy the benefits of minerals in the belly of their land. Without peace, there will be no gain for anybody, “Dr. Alake added.
The Minister commended the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Developement for partnering with the ministry to develop the revised guidelines, which he described as up to date and beneficial to all stakeholders.
At the unveiling of the revised guidelines were the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe, Director, Mines Environmental Compliance (MEC), Mrs. Vivian Okon, Executive Director, Centre for Learning and Strategic Development, Mr. Monday Osasah, amongst others.
Segun Tomori
Special Assistant (Media)
Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
16th November, 2023.
