Respect for human rights in mining communities key to enduring peace, sustainable development.
Some stakeholders in security and human rights on Monday urged mining companies and other stakeholders operating in Gombe State to respect the human rights of their host communities.
The stakeholders made the call on Monday in Gombe during a one-day security and human rights training, themed “Strengthening Regional Implementation of the Voluntary Principles in Nigeria.”
They said respect for human rights was key to enduring peace and sustainable development in such communities.
Speaking during the workshop, Mr. Innocent Adjenughure, a consultant with Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE-Africa), said there was a need for all stakeholders in mining communities to understand the value of human rights.
“It is key for companies, security agencies, and all stakeholders to understand the value of human rights and how to respect the rights and fundamental freedoms of Nigerians.
“While doing their jobs, they must protect the rights of Nigerians, irrespective of where they are.
“Respect for human rights and the rule of law will go a long way towards establishing peace and tranquilly.
“Any business that respects the rights of their communities of operation tends to benefit more because they have peace and the social licence to operate from the community members.
“No matter the licences they get from the Federal Government and the Solid Minerals Ministry, without the social licence to operate from the community, they can’t achieve much,” he said.
Adjenughure said part of the aim of the meeting was to engage community leadership in the mining sector to sensitise them on how to engage mining companies in their localities.
He said the workshop brought in community leaders to empower them with knowledge on how to discuss with companies in their localities and how to ensure that companies provide corporate social responsibilities (CSR).
According to him, communities need to know their rights so as to know how to benefit from mining activities in their communities, hence their participation in the workshop.
Mr. Ayuba Shamsuddeen, the state coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Gombe State, said violations of human rights and the promotion of injustice could threaten the peace of any community; hence, he appealed to companies and security agencies to respect human rights.
Shamshuddeen said the chances of achieving peace, sustainable development, and good governance in any community are greater if human rights are respected.
Also, Mrs. Erisa Danladi, Executive Director, Motherhen Development Foundation, said her foundation was happy with the workshop since the foundation works around human rights—basically, women’s rights.
Danladi said their host community, Maiganga, is one of the mining communities in the state; hence, involving their community leaders would help promote respect for human rights, especially women’s’ rights.
“Women are at greater risk. It affects them differently. They are in these mining communities; they sell food at the mining site; they are around the company side.
“You could see there are lots of challenges around them. This meeting for us is a very good step in the right direction, and we commend all partners for making this a reality,” she said.
Mr. Ibrahim Yusuf, the chairman of the Gombe Network of Civil Society, said the workshop was eye-opening to all stakeholders in the area of human rights protection.
Yusuf urged more of such meetings and sensitization towards protecting the rights of vulnerable persons and communities in the state.
Our correspondent reports that the workshop was sponsored by the DCAF Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance in collaboration with LITE-Africa.
Motherhen Development Foundation is the implementing partner in Gombe State.
