Nigerian Senate passes bill to curb illegal mining

The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading, a bill to establish the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service, NMRS, to combat illegal and artisanal mining in the country.

This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Senator Mohammed Onawo (SDP-Nasarawa) at plenary on Thursday.

Onawo said the proposed NMRS when established, would be saddled with the responsibilities of safeguarding mining operations, enforcement of mining environmental and safety regulations.

He said the NMRS would also promote sustainable mining practices in Nigeria.

According to him, the proposed Mine Rangers Service, as a specialised security outfit, would among others, curb illegal mining across the country, rescue trapped miners, provide emergency medical care, investigate mining accidents and enforce compliance with mining regulations.

He said, “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 – emphasising monolithic focus on oil as the main source of the country ‘s revenue.”

Lawmakers who contributed to debate described the proposed Mine Rangers Service as a veritable outfit to protect and securing 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 to illegal mining.

“The proposed specialised security outfit for protection of mining sites across the country , will end yearly loss of $18.9 billion 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, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano), who presided over plenary, described the bill as apt, given the needed protection, regulations and enforcement in the mining sector.

“We need special security arrangement 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 outfit for mining sector is very apt, because it will also help to identify criminals,” Barau said.

Barau referred the bill to Senate Committee on Solid Minerals for further legislative inputs.

He also mandated the committee to report back to plenary in two weeks.

Nigerian Senate passes bill to curb illegal mining