The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development, Centre LSD, shall conclude February 16, 2023, the regional validation exercise of findings of its study on the efficacy of Community Development Agreements, CDAs in Nigeria’s mining communities at a meeting with Southeast/Northcentral zone stakeholders in Enugu, the Enugu State capital.
The study was conducted with support from Ford Foundation across six states in each geopolitical zone of the country in 2022, including Taraba (northeast), Kebbi (northwest), Kogi (North Central), Ekiti (Southwest), Edo (Southsouth), and Ebonyi (Southeast), was specifically to evaluate the effectiveness of CDAs as a mechanism for transferring social and economic benefits from mining companies to host communities in Nigeria.
A statement by Mr Lawal Amodu, Programme Co-ordinator at Centre LSD said, the validation meeting will offer a platform for stakeholders, including government representatives, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and community members, to engage and interrogate the findings.
It will also enable them to consider their implications towards achieving effective community development policies and the delivery of sustainable benefits to communities affected by mining operations.
Centre LSD is committed to promoting sustainable development in communities across Africa and is proud to be at the forefront of efforts to evaluate the impact of CDAs on these communities.
The outcome of the study will be made available to the public upon completion of the validation exercise to shape and drive advocacy efforts by citizens for the improvement of mining policies and regulations in Nigeria.