By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
Hope for the establishment of the Mines Rangers Service, a specialised security outfit to combat illegal mining across the country, brightened on Tuesday as the Senate passed the enabling bill for third reading.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Mohammed Onaiwu (Nasarawa), scaled through after the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, presented by its Chairman, Senator Sampson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South).
In its report, the committee stressed that the creation of the Mines Rangers Service was crucial for safeguarding the mining sector, boosting revenue generation at both state and federal levels, and furthering economic diversification efforts.
“Many practitioners and stakeholders, particularly traditional rulers, supported the passage of the Bill given its strategic relevance to the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to unlocking the full potential of the mining sector to contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian economy,” the report stated.
It added that the establishment of the Mines Rangers would address current security lapses in mining areas, create jobs, promote community development, and curb exploitation of locals by illegal miners.
The committee also observed that existing security agencies were overstretched by other internal security challenges such as insurgency, terrorism, kidnapping, and oil theft, making a specialised mining ranger service necessary.
According to the report, the proposed Mines Rangers Service would leverage the existing National Unity and Peace Corps infrastructure, thereby reducing the cost of logistics and start-up.
It would also encourage intelligence sharing and collaboration among security agencies, minimising inter-agency rivalry.
The Senate, after clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, passed it for third reading. The proposed legislation will now be transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence before being sent to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
