Exploitation of natural resources: Conflicts worry Niassa authorities – Notícias report

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Exploitation of natural resources: Conflicts worry Niassa authorities – Notícias report

4:01 CAT | 28 Jul 2022

Image: IMD

The increasing number of land conflicts between individuals and companies, as well as the issuance of Land Use and Benefit Rights (DUAT) titles for more than one holder, is worrying government authorities in Niassa province, Notícias reports.

The concern was expressed by the Secretary of State for Niassa province, Dinis Vilanculo, in a training session for members of civil society organisations and community leaders from the districts of Cuamba, Lichinga, Majune, Mecanhelas, Nipepe and Sanga, covering conflict resolution, mediation and dialogue, “lobbying” and advocacy in the field of exploitation of natural resources.

The head of the Council of State Representation Services pointed out, in the city of Lichinga, that another concern for the body was the sale, by individuals of bad faith, of a plot of land to more than one person, a situation that also gives rise to conflicts.

Niassa hosted the pilot phase of the training, which was promoted by the Mozambican Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD). Vilanculos praised the initiative and appealed to IMD to replicate it in districts that were not yet covered.

He noted that Niassa’s 16 districts had minerals and other natural resources whose exploitation, by nationals and foreigners alike, could easily conflict.

A World Bank study, published in 2005, found that 65 percent of the Niassa population lives in rural areas. Even with rapid urbanisation, the livelihoods and well-being of the majority of the province’s residents will continue to depend on access to land, water, forestry products, fisheries, mining, and other natural resources.

“For this reason, the government will continue to count on the strong contribution of national and foreign non-governmental organisations and local civil society in resolving conflicts related to the exploitation of natural resources,” Vilanculos underlined.

The abundance of natural resources in Niassa poses several challenges to local government authorities and communities, especially in defining strategies leading to their sustainable exploitation to meet present and future needs.

Source: Notícias