Host communities ‘should benefit’ more from mineral resources

Hamzat Lawal, chief executive officer of Connected Development (CODE), says the organisation is engaging with leaders in communities where mineral resources are extracted in the south-west in order to avoid devastation of the region.

Speaking during a visit to Olumuyiwa Ogunbekun, the Onilekki of Lekki, Lawal said the establishment of a refinery in the area has impacted the source of livelihood of the residents.

He said CODE is committed to informing the people of their rights, building the capacity of community leaders and the youth before the operation of the Dangote refinery in the area begins.

“We are worried because of the lessons we have learnt from the Niger Delta. We don’t want what happened in the Niger Delta to replicate itself in the south-west, particularly Lagos where we have the Dangote refinery,” Lawal said.

“We are here before the operations kick off. Part of our role is to build the capacity of the people of this community and make them understand their rights and roles as community leaders. The rule of law must always prevail no matter who is involved.

“We called kabiyesi that we want to see the women leaders because this development of the oil refinery has impacted the source of livelihood, particularly small businesses. And who runs the small businesses in the community, they are women. Let us have inclusive governance in the community where women will sit in the decision-making table and bring the perspective of women and how it affects them.”