KEY POINTS
- The Nigerian Senate is progressing with a bill to establish the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service.
- The NMRS aims to combat illegal mining, ensure safety in mining operations, and enforce regulations.
- Lawmakers emphasize the potential for the NMRS to curb the estimated annual loss of $18.9 billion to illegal mining.
The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill for the second reading that proposes the establishment of the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS), a specialized security unit aimed at addressing illegal and artisanal mining.
The bill, presented by Sen. Mohammed Onawo (SDP-Nasarawa) during Thursday’s plenary, outlines the responsibilities of the NMRS, including safeguarding mining operations and enforcing environmental and safety regulations.
According to Punch, Sen. Onawo highlighted that the NMRS would play a crucial role in promoting sustainable mining practices in Nigeria, a sector often plagued by illegal activities.
The service is envisioned as a dedicated security outfit that will also focus on rescuing trapped miners, providing emergency medical care, investigating mining accidents, and enforcing compliance with mining regulations.
Curbing illegal mining
The bill, according to Sen. Onawo, was carefully developed to address the rampant issue of illegal mining in Nigeria.
He emphasized that establishing the NMRS would create avenues for properly harnessing Nigeria’s vast mineral resources and significantly contribute to the diversification of the country’s economy, which has traditionally relied on oil revenues.
“The bill is a bold legislative step geared towards the diversification of our economy by de-emphasizing the monolithic focus on oil as the main source of the country’s revenue,” said Sen. Onawo.
Senate support for the NMRS
Several lawmakers expressed their support for the proposed NMRS, describing it as a critical tool for protecting Nigeria’s mining sector.
Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia) noted that the creation of this specialized service could help curb the estimated annual loss of $18.9 billion to illegal mining activities across the country.
“The proposed security outfit will not only curb illegal mining but also combat banditry,” Sen. Kalu added, highlighting the security challenges tied to illegal mining operations.
Enhancing security in the mining sector
Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano), who presided over the session, acknowledged the bill’s relevance, stating that it addresses the need for special security arrangements within Nigeria’s mining sector.
He pointed out that illegal mining has often been linked to wider security issues, such as banditry.
“One of the recently killed notorious bandits started as a security guard to miners before turning to illegal mining and banditry,” Sen. Barau remarked.
He stressed that the establishment of the NMRS could help identify criminals and prevent illegal mining from fueling security challenges in the region.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals for further legislative review. The committee is expected to report back to the Senate in two weeks.
