Frontier SA, a subsidiary of ERG Africa, recently participated in a ceremony at the Sakania General Referral Hospital (HGR) to mark the handover of 30 solar-powered boreholes to six local communities in the Sakania territory of Haut-Katanga province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The event was attended by Her Excellency Mrs. Nathalie-Aziza Munana, Minister of Social Affairs, who also visited the Frontier SA site.
Frontier SA is committed to improving living conditions in neighboring communities by funding key community development projects. “Supporting this initiative for improved access to drinking water aligns perfectly with ERG Africa’s mission to develop impactful projects that sustainably benefit local populations,” said Nicolas Treand, CEO of ERG Africa.
In line with the social obligations of the DRC mining code and regulations, Frontier SA allocates 0.3% of its annual turnover to DOT-Frontier, a fund designated for community development projects. As of 2023, Frontier SA has disbursed USD 5,878,303.26 to DOT-Frontier from a total provision of USD 9,273,000.26 earmarked for the period from 2018 to 2023.
During the ceremony, Minister Nathalie-Aziza Munana praised Frontier SA’s transparency and commitment to community development. “I have just heard something here that deeply moves me and makes me very proud. I want to congratulate Frontier for their transparency and for sharing their achievements with the community. You, residents of Sakania, are blessed to have a company as transparent as Frontier,” she said.
Frontier SA’s DOT-Frontier fund currently oversees 10 community development projects in Sakania for 2024, focusing on sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. Mr. Patient Kabela, Senior Social Manager, emphasized the importance of community engagement in the project selection process to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives.
The DOT-Frontier management mechanism promotes community involvement and ensures transparent governance, administered by a 12-member body representing local communities, grassroots organizations, government entities, and Frontier SA. Regulatory oversight is provided by the Ministries of Mines and Social Affairs.
Eric Kitambala Mabel, President of DOT-Frontier, expressed satisfaction with Frontier SA’s efforts, stating, “The relationship between DOT-Frontier and Frontier SA is positive, with the latter fulfilling its commitments and obligations. We encourage them to continue on this path for the benefit of the local communities.”
In addition, Frontier SA launched the Amenshi E Bumi (Water is Life in Bemba) water reticulation system in 2022, providing a stable and sustainable supply of clean water to the Sakania community as part of its commitment to enhancing local living conditions.
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