Lifting the voices of civil socity and local communities

Extractive industries and exploitation of natural resources​

In Angola, the exploitation of natural resources is a huge challenge. NCA is therefore working to help and empower people living in poor peri-urban and rural areas affected by the activities of the extractive industries. It is important that people develop resilience and that they know, demand and exercise their civil, economic and social rights. NCA works on this issue in cooperation with both religious organizations and other civil society organizations. One of these areas of cooperation is the TCHOTA platform. 

Forum for civil society organizations

The TCHOTA platform is a forum for civil society organizations focused on natural resources and the impact of extractive industries on communities. The forum gives communities the opportunity to make their voices heard. With support from the NCA, TCHOTA was created in 2016 by Angolan civil society and church organizations. It aims to promote discussion and analysis of the social and economic situation affecting communities living in areas of natural resource exploitation.

The purpose is to promote greater awareness in Angolan society regarding the challenges linked to the exploitation of natural resources in Angola, better management, and fair distribution of revenues.

Rev. Daniel Ntony-a-Nzinga the president of TCHOTA. Photo by Nelson António João.

Affected local communities should have a say

During a press conference, NCA partners asked the government to repeal the law that allows the exploitation of mineral resources, oil and gas in partial natural reserves, special natural reserves and national parks. 

The president of "TCHOTA", Reverend Daniel Ntoni Nzinga, said that the State should continuously work so that local communities, particularly those affected by the exploration of natural resources, can be involved in consultation processes before taking concrete action.

The Reverend also denounced the weak public and private investment in environmental protection, the inefficiency of institutions regarding monitoring of compliance with existing law and sustainable management in compliance with the law in conservation areas.

In this context, TCHOTA recommends rethinking the concept of sustainable development, since more revenues do not presuppose greater attention to the most vulnerable or an improvement in the human development index.

Cooperation of a sustainable local development

The general director of ADRA, Carlos Cambuta, said that TCHOTA is available to cooperate and dialogue with the institutions involved in this process, in order to ensure assertive communication and a work aimed at sustainable local development.

NCA partner organizations involved include: Action for Rural Development and Environment (ADRA), Institute for Citizenship - MOSAIKO, Free Hands Association, Council of Christian Churches of Angola (CICA), Forum of Women Journalists for Gender Equality (FMJIG).

Carlos Cambuta Director of ADRA, Rev. Daniel Ntony-a- Nzinga and Guilhermes Neves from Maos Livres (from left to right). Photo by Nelson António João.

Facts about Angola:

• Angola is rich in natural resources such as oil, gas and diamonds, but the population remains poor and is still influenced by a 27-year long civil war that ended in 2002.
• Angola is also facing challenges related to climate change with continuous periods of drought leaving millions of families vulnerable to malnutrition and starvation.
• Democratic space is limited, and citizens, local communities, faith-based and other civil society organizations lack the influence to defend their rights.

Facts about NCAs work:

• NCA has been working in Angola since 1975.
• Together with its partners and Angolan civil society organizations, NCA implements long-term development and humanitarian programmes in the following thematic areas: Fighting Inequality, Faith-Based Climate Action and Strengthening Civil Society and Defending Human Rights.
• Together with its partners, NCA implements programmes in Bengo, Benguela, Cunene, Kwanza Sul, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Uíge and Zaire.​
• Interventions target women and men living in poor peri-urban and rural areas affected by the activities of extractive industries and/or where the impacts of climate change are severe.

If you want to learn more about the work of NCA Angola, check out their country page on www.nca.no

Head photo by Håvard Bjelland.

Published: Monday, June 28, 2021 11:41:16 AM