Given an opportunity to witness happenings in the Niger Delta region that has led to massive deaths, insecurity, agitations and violence in the region, stakeholders in the Mining Sectors have been asked to reflect on the negative impacts it has created, towards making the necessary correction that would not allow such in Mining sector of the country.
Ken Henshaw a rights activists and CEO We the People, gave the advise in his concluding presentation, Understanding the legal and institutional frameworks for safeguarding rights of mining host communities in Nigeria, urged for the insistence of the rights of the people and host communities, as contained in the legal frameworks.
The Executive Director, made the presentation at a 3 day training for critical stakeholders of Mining Host communities organized by Global Rights on Fiscal Governance for solid minerals in Nigeria for members of the Federation.
Mr. Ken disclosed that the mining sector has the propensity to drive the nation’s GDP than the oil Sector if well harnessed, urged for the need to look into the aspects of labour, security, human rights concerns of host Community’s towards a peaceful coexistence and benefits by the Mining Host Communities.
Mr. Ken further called for the need to address issues of land acquisition, protecting the indigenous peoples rights when infringed upon as well as access to remedy and ways of safeguarding the rights for the host communities.
The CEO, We the people, mentioned the disastrous impacts by the exploitation of hydrocarbons, Small, scale and unregulated mining in the Niger Delta, added that it is on record that lead poisoning resulted to deaths of 400 kids in Zamfara in 2010 and another 300 deaths afterwards, reason why the need for vigilance.
Mr. Ken looked at the 1999 constitution, Nigerians Minerals Act 2007, land use act and that of Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, as major Legal and regulatory frameworks, called for a clearly defined place of the mining host communities towards protection, respect that would allow communities access to revenue