Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, says the Southwest region is now a national model for responsible mining, having signed 45 Community Development Agreements, CDAs, in the last two years, more than double the number recorded in the previous 15 years combined.
Alake disclosed this during the Southwest Leaders Conference in Akure, where he addressed stakeholders on the progress of ongoing mining reforms.
“We have made it a law that companies must sign Community Development Agreements before mining begins,” Alake said. “For too long, host communities suffered neglect. Today, we have reversed that story, every community must share in the benefits of the minerals under their soil.”
He praised the proactive efforts of Southwest states in promoting peace, transparency, and local participation in mining projects.
“From Segilola Gold in Osun to hundreds of active quarry sites, our people are proving that development can coexist with integrity and community growth,” he noted.
Alake explained that the CDAs ensure that mining companies invest in local infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
“These agreements have restored trust between host communities and operators. They are the social license that guarantees sustainability,” he added.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring inclusive growth through solid minerals.
“No reform is complete if communities are not part of the progress. This is a people-centred transformation,” he said.
