Reacting to the hiring by the Nigerian oil regulator of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and S&P Global to help scrutinize the sale of Shell’s onshore assets in the country, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria Director, highlighted the importance of maintaining independence and avoiding conflicts of interest in the assessment process.
Why is maintaining independence crucial in assessing Shell’s proposed sale in Nigeria?
- Government regulator overseeing the sale must ensure full independence of consultants
- Concerns raised over BCG and S&P Global’s ties to Shell
- Human rights risks at stake emphasize the need for independent reviews
Isa Sanusi stressed the necessity for the reviews of the sale to not only be independent but also perceived as such to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Issues of human rights violations related to Shell’s activities must be thoroughly addressed, ensuring accountability for environmental damages and harm caused to communities.
What safeguards should be in place for the proposed sale to protect human rights?
- Consultancy groups’ reviews should not be influenced by commercial interests
- Potential buyers must demonstrate ability to manage operations safely
- Deal should include safeguards to fully protect people’s rights
Shell’s agreement to sell SPDC to the Renaissance consortium for up to US$2.4 billion raises concerns about accountability and the protection of human rights in the region. It is imperative that the sale process is conducted with transparency and adherence to ethical standards to prevent further harm to local communities.
Source: www.amnesty.org