By EricJames Ochigbo
A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has urged governments at all levels to prioritise local livelihoods and environmental protection in investment agreements.
The coalition made the call at a stakeholders’ roundtable in Abuja on Thursday, urging the government to make such agreements public for scrutiny and input from relevant stakeholders.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mrs Joyce Brown, Programmes Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), said government must look beyond the financial value of proposed investments.
Brown said investors’ track records should be scrutinised, while proper impact assessments must be conducted to prevent a repeat of the environmental devastation witnessed in Ogoniland.
She said government should consider the short- and long-term implications of investments for Nigerian businesses, the economy, environment, food systems and local production.
According to her, the demand for disclosure was not intended to find fault with investors but to ensure adequate safeguards before operations commence.
“Stakeholders should be given the opportunity to assess investment proposals ahead of time and identify areas that could become problematic for the country and vulnerable communities,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Mayowa Soba, Research Lead, HEDA Resource Centre, said the organisation advocated human rights, climate justice, investment and support for small businesses and local livelihoods.
He said the terms and conditions governing businesses coming into Nigeria must be clearly defined and made public, including their responsibilities to host communities and the environment.
Mrs Mariann Bassey-Olsson, Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, called for a human-centred approach to investment decisions.
She said government should examine whether proposed investments would strengthen local livelihoods, enhance security, respect Nigeria’s sovereignty or undermine local producers through market concentration.
“We are not anti-investment. We are saying businesses should respect people’s rights. There should be rules for businesses, and people should come before profit,” she said.
Bassey-Olsson urged the government to ensure that investment agreements protected the interests of host communities, farmers and the wider Nigerian population. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Source: News Agency of Nigeria