Traditional authorities in the southern region of the country ask that the distribution of income from logging be more equitable and bring benefits to all citizens.
The request was made in the city of Menongue, Cuando Cubango province, during the conclusions and recommendations of the Southern Regional Conference on the Exploration of Natural Resources, promoted by the Tchota Platform, in partnership with the Forum of Women Journalists for Gender Equality.
Delegates from the provinces of Huambo, Lunda-Norte, Benguela, Huíla and Cuando Cubango defended the need to continue working on maintaining the laws that regulate the exploitation of wood and other natural resources, taking into account the environmental impact and socio-economic development. of extraction areas.
Delegates consider that the benefits of natural resources should be for everyone, and it is essential to raise society’s awareness for a more rational exploitation.
The recommendations also include the need to mobilize the largest number of inspectors in the communities, to encourage compliance with tax payments and the social responsibility of the exploiting companies.
Investing in training and informing communities about the negative consequences of the irrational exploitation of natural resources, as well as denouncing environmental crimes to the competent authorities are among the recommendations.
Participants are of the opinion that women’s involvement in natural resource exploration projects should be promoted. They defended the creation of a platform that involves companies, communities and the State.
They also recommended that the amounts collected and the natural resources that companies exploit should be made public, as well as pressure the Government for the approval of a law to protect minorities.
During three days, participants debated topics related to the “Vision of the State in the exploitation and management of natural resources”, “Environmental impact”, “Communities and access to natural resources” and “Legal protection of the rights and duties of communities in extractive industry”.
The conference, held last week, aimed to contribute to raising society’s awareness of the situation of exploitation of natural resources in the southern region of the country, ensuring the active participation of communities in debates, advocating good management practices and fair distribution of income. and dissemination of the process that involves the entire cycle of exploitation of natural resources.
C/JA
