By Adamu Ibrahim Dabo, ANIPR, MNGE
Director, Public Enlightenment
A five-year, multi-million naira Community Development Agreement (CDA) between Century Mining Company (CMC) and Riruwai Community in Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State has officially taken effect, marking a major milestone in community company collaboration in the solid minerals sector
The agreement, approved by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, will run from 2026 to 2030 and is expected to deliver wide-ranging socio-economic benefits to the host community where CMC operates mining activities involving tin, zinc and other related minerals.
Speaking at the CDA signing ceremony held on Tuesday at the District Head’s Palace in Riruwai town, the Chairman of the CDA Committee Engineer Usman Sule Riruwai, who signed on behalf of the community, outlined key projects and commitments contained in the agreement in line with the Nigerian Mining Act and its regulations.
According to him, the company has agreed to undertake full reclamation, rehabilitation and restoration of all excavated and explored land to its natural state upon exhaustion of mining activities and prior to mine closure.
Other commitments include the construction of a fully furnished 700-seater multipurpose town hall, annual funding of ₦5 million for sporting activities especially football and the employment of 50 percent of the company’s semi-skilled workforce from the host community.
Additional projects include the provision of a 240,000-litre capacity potable water storage tank with a production capacity of 10,000 litres per hour; rehabilitation of the 19-kilometre Riruwai–Doka road with drainage and a five-year maintenance plan, subject to Kano State Government approval; connection of the Riruwai Primary Health Centre to the company’s electricity supply; monthly purchase of medical drugs worth ₦1 million; and educational support amounting to ₦4 million for 40 secondary school students selected on merit.
The agreement also provides for the rehabilitation of selected primary and secondary schools within the community.
Representing Century Mining Company, Mr. Mukesh Kumar Sharma accompanied by the CMC General Manager Mr. Achallah Chakapani and Mr. Paresh Gadre, assured the community of the company’s total cooperation and commitment to fully implementing the agreement in compliance with Nigeria’s mining laws and regulations.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, represented by Alhaji Hassan Mohammed, urged the company to faithfully fulfill all aspects of the CDA and called on community members to maintain cooperation to ensure smooth implementation.
The Kano State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Alhaji Hamza Safiyanu Kachako, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Engineer Mansur Yakubu, described the agreement as a remarkable success and a major achievement of the Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf administration.
He noted that the CDA was the outcome of sustained engagements and negotiations facilitated by the ministry, underscoring the administration’s commitment to responsible mineral resources development following the creation of a dedicated ministry to oversee the sector.
“This development complements the efforts of the Federal Government and reflects the importance attached to the solid minerals sector by the Kano State Government,” he said.
The District Head of the area, Sarkin Yamma Kano, Alhaji Abdullahi Sarki Muhammadu, represented by Alhaji Ali Muhammad Yola, charged the company to promptly commence implementation of the agreement and urged community members to continue to live in peace.
An elder of the community, Alhaji Musa Salihu, expressed appreciation to all stakeholders who made the agreement possible and emphasized the need for community policing to protect public facilities from criminal activities.
Also speaking, Professor Ibrahim Garba Riruwai, a professor of hard rock geology and indigene of the community, expressed concern over the growing involvement of school-age children in artisanal mining at the expense of education.
He called on parents to reverse the trend in order to secure a better future for the community.
The CDA is expected to significantly improve living conditions in Riruwai while promoting sustainable and responsible mining practices in Kano State.
