By Dipo Olowookere
The Japanese demining project started on 11 August 2016 and was implemented by the NGO Norwegian People’s Aid. Its aim was to clear land mines and unexploded ordnance in the province of Malange, in the north of Angola.
The UK supported the Japanese government’s work to help clear 700,000 square metres of previously hazardous land. During the clearance, 165 anti-personnel mines, 1 anti-tank mine, 108 pieces of unexploded ordnance, 18 abandoned explosive ordnance and 1,310 pieces of small arms ammunition were destroyed.
Additionally, NPA ran 17 Risk Education Programmes. The purpose of the risk sessions was to teach rural communities to identify and report mines to local authorities. The programme helped over two thousand local residents.
These mines are a legacy of over four decades of fighting in Angola. Now this mine-free land has been returned to the community and can be used for initiatives like agriculture, housing, building schools, police stations or hospitals.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Business Post Contributor