The National Human
Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on companies in the extractive industry to fully comply with the UN Standard on respect for human rights.
The Executive Secretary of NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, made the call at a stakeholders meeting last Thursday in Abuja.
The meeting had as its theme: “Designing a Workable Model for Security and Human Rights in the Nigeria Extractive Industry.”
Angwe advised the companies to support socio-economic and political justice as well as create equal opportunity at all levels of employment.
He said the UN standard include Global Compact Principles, Global Sullivan Principles and Tripartite Declaration of Principles governing Multi-national Enterprises and Social Policy with regards to human rights.
Angwe urged transnational corporations and other business enterprises to pursue their business objectives in the extractive industry within the ambit of corporate social responsibility.
“While the transnational corporations and other business enterprises pursue their legitimate business objectives in the extractive industry, it has to be done within the ambit of a corporate social responsibility.
“It has to be done with concern for the environment and full observance of human rights standards, with a clear chart towards achieving sustainable development of the host communities as envisaged by Section 16 of the Constitution,” he said.
The Country Director, Global Rights, Ms Abi Baiyewu, said the extractive industry had been highly volatile with allegations of human rights violations.
She said the safety of life and property had been compromised, many had died and businesses shut down due to crises between companies and host communities.
“The extractive industries are an integral part of the nation’s economy, a driving force for development.
“But at the same time, the industry treads a thin line between promoting development and disrespecting its host communities when it fails to recognise their interests.
Baiyewu was, however, optimistic that if handled with care, the differences that exist between the companies and host communities would engender growth.
“These differences are not necessarily bad. They could, if handled with foresight and with a win-win attitude, be the fulcrum of growth,” she said.
One of the Speakers, Mr Frank Odita, called on the Inspector General Police (IG), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, to establish a police command to cater for the internal security needs of the extractive industry.
He further urged stakeholders in the industry to view the issue of security as a collective responsibility.
Odita said it was the responsibility of government to provide security for its citizens, while companies complement its effort at providing security for their personnel and business environment.
Odita, a retired Commissioner of Police, listed areas that should be given attention to include insecurity, conflict resolution, risk assessment and law enforcement.
“The introduction of voluntary principles on security and human rights by the UN has provided guidelines for government to acknowledge that security is a fundamental need to do business,” he said.