The Federal Government has called on Mining Companies to be more responsive to their host communities for peaceful coexistence.
While reiterating the need for mining companies operating in different communities in the country to keep to the terms made in the signed Community Development Agreement (CDA).
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite made this call at the Opening Ceremony of Tunde Ramos Coal Mines and Commissioning of Mining Equipment by Mosra Enerji in Odele, Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Minister added that apart from projects contained in the CDA, the community should prosper as the mining companies prosper.
He said that the Federal Government takes Mining Company relationship with the host community serious.
Explaining part of the content of the CDA, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Director of Press, Mrs Etore Thomas, Adegbite stated that, “ it is an agreement with the host community wherein a set of the project is agreed upon and everyone is bound to follow it for a period of 5 years”.”
He appreciated the host communities for the cooperation accorded to Mosra Enerji so far as he noted that mining cannot take place without peace and the community’s acquiescence. He noted that the mining sector has learnt a lot of lessons from the mistakes of the oil and gas sub-sector where the host communities were neglected. He advised Mosra Enerji to “keep on cooperating, keep on working with your host communities”
The Minister implored Mosra Enerji host communities to continue to cooperate with the company as they can only bring good things to them. “It is important to cooperate with them so that the community prospers as the mining companies prosper and that is the reason for CDA,” he added.
He noted that so many communities are endowed with one or more minerals, but there is a need for Mining Companies or investors to bring out the minerals and turn them into wealth. Beyond adherence to CDA, the Minister was of the view that the presence of the mining companies would further expose the communities.
As a young geologist with a passion to see Nigeria transform her rich reserves of solid minerals into economic wealth that will in turn positively impact on the economy of the country at large, I believe that giant strides like this should be encouraged and built upon. Institutions like Mosra Enerji should be given all the necessary support to ensure that this coal mines meet the desired targets. I believe that Nigeria and indeed Africa will be the ultimate winners. Congratulations to Dr. Tunde Ramos and the entire Mosra Enerji team.