Stakeholders under the auspices of the Federation of Nigerian Mining Host Communities (FNMHC) has call for a meaningful dialogue, understanding and peaceful resolution of the conflict currently brewing between Kogi State Government and Dangote Cement Company Ltd.
FNMHC in a joint statement on thursday noted that It is imperative that peace reigns even if for the fact that it is the host communities and not any of these two giants
that will suffer a conflict of such magnitude if it were left to continue.
Explaining, FNMHC stated that they have watched with dismay the repeated violations of the rights of mining host communities and have repeatedly advocated a more comprehensive and totally robust approach to the way the mining of solid minerals is
conducted in the country with the imperative to put the needs, wishes and aspirations of the mining communities foremost with the aim of strengthening sustainable mining host communities in Nigeria.
According to them, they believe that the recent events have served as a reminder once again, that where there are
mining companies (manufacturing companies) in any community, it is necessary to keep possible
conflicts at a minimum.
Similarly, FNMHC stated that the amendment of the mining act which is long overdue when amended would reduce the conflict as some safeguards against conflicts are strongly worded in the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA), which they agree is long overdue for review but is nonetheless very relevant today.
“It is our fervent request that it does its utmost best to have the amendment of the Act concluded and
effected before this Government leaves the leadership saddle”.
Continuing, they said while private companies are encouraged to explore commercial exploitation
activities in host communities, there must be honest and diligent scrutiny of;
A. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) activities and ensure that these companies
actually carry out this EIA as a prerequisite to obtaining operational mining licenses.
Also, Community Development Agreements, (CDAs) and whether it is drafted in the best
interests of the host communities is key; it becomes imperative to the sector
regulators to ensure that the letters of the CDAs are being strictly adhered to.
“We wish to call on stakeholders in the mining industry to set up a template for arriving at people-centric CDAs and give room for a wide spectrum of stakeholders per community, to determine and negotiate what is best for them instead of allowing a
few individuals to pocket the destinies of the unborn generations coming behind them”.
They however assured of the commitment of the Federation of Nigerian Mining Host Communities, (FNMHC) to the ideals
expressed herein is total and unwavering and shall continue to be at the vanguard of our collective citizenry.
