The Senate has passed a bill for its second reading to establish the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS) aimed at combating illegal and artisanal mining in the country.
The bill was presented by its sponsor, Sen. Mohammed Onawo (SDP-Nasarawa), during Thursday’s plenary session.
In outlining the general principles of the bill, Onawo stated that the proposed NMRS would be tasked with safeguarding mining operations and enforcing environmental and safety regulations related to mining. He emphasized that the NMRS would also promote sustainable mining practices in Nigeria.
According to him, this specialized security outfit would play a crucial role in curbing illegal mining nationwide, rescuing trapped miners, providing emergency medical care, investigating mining accidents, and ensuring compliance with mining regulations.
“The bill has been painstakingly developed and streamlined to curb illegal mining, thereby providing avenues for harnessing the vast mineral resources in Nigeria.
“The bill is a bold legislative step geared towards the diversification of our economy by de-emphasizing monolithic focus on oil as the main source of the country ‘s revenue,” he said.
Lawmakers who contributed to the debate for the bill, described the proposed Mine Rangers Service as a veritable outfit to protect and secure the mining sites across the country.
Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu(APC-Abia) said the proposed security outfit, would help stop the yearly loss of 18.9 billion dollars by Nigeria to illegal mining.
“The proposed specialized security outfit for the protection of mining sites across the country will end. yearly loss of 18.9 billion dollars to illegal miners.
“The Mine Rangers Service, as envisioned, will not only curb illegal mining but also combat banditry”, he said.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen.Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano), who presided over the plenary described the bill as apt, given the needed protection, regulations, and enforcement in the mining sector.
“We need special security arrangements in the mining sector which this bill is proposing.
“It will also help to combat banditry because, one of the recently killed notorious bandits, was just a security guard to miners, later turned to miner himself and added banditry to it.
“He had a lot of mining sites where he carried out illegal mining.
“The proposed law for special security outfits for the mining sector is very apt , because it will also help to identify criminals,” Barau said.
Barau referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals for further legislative inputs.
He also mandated the committee to report back to plenary in two weeks.
(NAN)
