By Osehobo Ofure, Benin City
Tensions are rising in Okpella community, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, as residents and community leaders have called for a renegotiation of the Community Development Agreement (CDA) with BUA Cement Company, citing marginalisation, lack of proper representation, and poor infrastructure development.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Edo State Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Hon. Andrew Ijegbai, in Benin City, a prominent community leader, Chief Tunde Ajie, described the existing agreement as flawed from inception. He accused the parties involved of sidelining critical voices within the community.
“The current CDA was done without proper representation. There were in-house disagreements, and many of us felt marginalised,” Chief Ajie lamented. “This meeting is long overdue, and we need a fresh start that reflects the true interests of Okpella people.”
Echoing similar concerns, representatives of the Awoyemi Ruling House and the Imiokpe Kindred also from the. community advocated for individual CDAs to be signed with BUA Cement and other mining companies operating in the area. They argued that separate agreements would allow them to manage community funds independently and ensure accountability.
They criticised the deplorable state of infrastructure in Okpella, contrasting it sharply with conditions inside the BUA Cement facility. “Our roads are in terrible shape, water supply is grossly inadequate, and electricity is unreliable,” a spokesperson from the Imiokpe Kindred stated. “Meanwhile, inside the BUA camp, everything works perfectly. This disparity is unacceptable.”
In response, Commissioner Ijegbai reassured the community of the state government’s commitment to protecting the rights of host communities and ensuring that companies adhere to the terms of their CDAs.
“The state government is determined to empower mining host communities across Edo State through full implementation of Community Development Agreements,” Ijegbai declared. “Our ministry will closely monitor the agreements to ensure they are not just signed, but properly executed.”
He further emphasised the government’s readiness to lead the renegotiation process to safeguard the interests of all parties involved. “We will not allow our citizens to be victimised by companies operating in our communities,” he warned.
The commissioner also cautioned companies against engaging in practices that could lead to exploitation or suppression of the rights of Edo citizens, promising that the state will enforce compliance with community agreements.
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