The voluntary principles on security and human rights training for Chevron Nigeria Limited was funded by Chevron, Despite the upsurge of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) in collaboration with LITE-Africa, continued to deliver VPSHR training in a bid to promote the respect of Human Rights in CNL operating environment and Nigeria in general. Training were conducted for staff and security personnel safeguarding their facilities. Chevron as a corporate signatory to the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) having carried out its own risk assessment, understands the need to build the capacity of the company security personnel on the VPSHR to ensure compliance with the company commitment to promote and respect the rights and fundamental freedom of persons in four critical areas of its operations including; employees, community members, suppliers and security.  LITE-Africa have continued to support CNL’s capacity building program on human rights through trainings on the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights which has also guided policy reforms towards integrating human rights into corporate operations. In 2020, a total of 97 security personnel representing various security agencies like Navy, Army, Nigerian Police Force, SPY, security duty officers and Private Security Guards participated in the training which covered CNL facilities in Escravos, Utonana, Makaraba, Dibi, Opuekeba, Olero and Abiteye. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the delivery of the training in the year under review however the team was able to deliver some training via virtual means. Modules covered in the trainings include; Understanding Human Rights and the Historical Perspective on the Development of Law and Human Rights, Human Rights, and Business in the Oil and Gas Industry and Nigerian Laws and the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights, Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, Human Rights, Duties and Responsibilities, Nigeria 1999 Constitution and Human Rights, Understanding Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment, Chevron Human Rights Policy (Policy 520) etc.

VOLUNTARY PRINCIPLES ASSOCIATION CORE FUNDING PROJECT

The Voluntary Principles Association through its core funding project to the Nigerian Working Group (NWG) on the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) was funded by voluntary principles Association Canada and have continued to provide support for the activities of the NWG. The core funding has contributed to the strengthening of the Nigerian Working Group on the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights Secretariat Coordination. In 2020 NWG was able to promote the implementation of Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights in Nigeria through a mix of activities including periodic review meetings, research, advocacy engagement, multi-stakeholder dialogues, community outreach, public awareness, and capacity building initiatives. In the year under review the group equally produced research report on the National Baseline assessment on the VPSHR in Nigeria.

The Group objectives is to share best practices, foster communication, and raise awareness related to local security and human rights context. The NWG also enhance collaboration between government representatives, NGOs, companies, and other local civil societies. It helps to identify and respond to local in-country challenges related to the implementation of the Voluntary Principles through mutual solutions. The NWG is also collaborating with the Nigerian inter-ministerial committee on the VPs to facilitate Nigeria membership of the Voluntary Principles Association.