Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM) and the Forum of Civil Society Organisations of Cabo Delgado (FOCADE) are laying the groundwork for a partnership to promote development in the Administrative Post of Namanhumbir, through advocacy, community mobilisation, and conflict resolution initiatives.
With more than 70 member organisations across Cabo Delgado province and experience in the extractive industry, community development, and human rights, FOCADE is positioned to play a bridging role between MRM, local communities, and government authorities.
According to a statement from MRM, FOCADE's involvement could help strengthen transparency in the implementation of community projects financed by the company, improve resource governance, and clarify the responsibilities, obligations, and boundaries of each stakeholder.
Although the partnership is still in the alignment phase, FOCADE is already supporting the resolution of a dispute between families resettled by MRM in the village of Wikupuri and neighbouring communities of Nanhupo A and Namanhumbir, centred on access to farming areas.
That support includes planning the negotiation process and monitoring the implementation of agreed activities.
A FOCADE delegation — comprising Vice-President Albertino Augusto Raúl and the President of the Fiscal Council, Ramadan Bacar — recently visited MRM's operations, including areas affected by illegal mining, company-funded community projects, and local communities, including Community Development Committees.
'We were positively impressed by the level and diversity of social responsibility projects implemented by MRM, as well as by its human rights initiatives,' said Albertino Augusto Raúl.
The FOCADE vice-president nonetheless called for greater government involvement and the correct application of the share of production royalties earmarked for communities.
'At the same time, we feel that, as civil society, we need to ensure greater government engagement and the correct application of the due share of production taxes that must be channelled to communities, so as to secure a greater diversity of livelihoods and prevent conflicts such as those associated with illegal mining, which are harmful to communities, to the company, and to the country as a whole,' he said.
Beyond FOCADE, MRM says it is working to join forces with other civil society and humanitarian organisations, with the aim of contributing to greater cohesion, peace, and development in the communities covered by its operations.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=531635
