By Michael Paul
The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has expressed optimism that with adequate capacity building for Original Inhabitants of Abuja, they will be equipped with the necessary skills to negotiate beneficial Community Development Agreements (CDAs) with mining companies operating in their communities.
CTA Executive Director, Faith Nwadishi stated this at the opening of a two-day capacity building held for Abuja Original Inhabitants on negotiation and understanding of the Community Development Agreements (CDAs), on Tuesday in Abuja.
Our Correspondent reports that the training is coming at an auspicious time when most of the CDAs are due for review
Nwadishi said having a beneficial and workable CDA is imperative, adding that Host communities should enjoy the benefits accruing from the natural resources that God has blessed them with.
The CTA boss explained that CDA is a legal documentation that spells out the gains, control, and administration of the extractive resources (usually in the mining sector) benefits/returns in cash or in-kind, directly or indirectly to the area of operations (communities, villages) to mitigate and compensate for any loss or negative effect that may have been generated during operations by the companies.
She said, “CTA has been implementing the Original Inhabitants project aimed at promoting the cultural values and environmental rights of the Original Inhabitants of the FCT since November 2021 and it has been an interesting journey.
“To better understand the project, CTA conducted a scoping study in selected mining host communities to investigate the cultural, socio-economic, and environmental impact of mining and quarrying activities in (Karishi, Kubwa, Kuje, and Mpape). This is to further understand the impact of mining/quarrying activities in these areas: with a focus on the community development agreements (CDAs).
“One of the core findings from our research is that despite the extensive regulatory reviews done there are non-existence of laws that protect cultural sites affected by mining activities in the FCT.”
According to her, some of challenges identified by the CTA during its study inclides lack of community participation in the designing and negotiating the CDAs; None adherence to the contents of the CTA by the mining companies
Other challenges include, Most CDAs are gender insensitive; Some of the CDAs are due for review; Only few persons benefit from the CDAs signed and Host communities not knowing what to ask for.
She said, “It is hoped that looking through these challenges, there are prospects for hope. Is our believe that the community members who are here today will take this training seriously in order to equip themselves and their communities with the necessary skills to negotiate beneficial CDAs/.”