The Federal Government (FG) has opposed the proposal of the bill to establish the Nigeria Mines Ranger Service (NMRS), designed to combat illegal and artisanal mining.
The Ministries of Solid Minerals Development, Justice, and Interior, as well as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), debated that the new agency would overlap with the responsibilities of the NSCDC.
The Bill was sponsored by Sen. Mohammed Onawo (PDP, Nasarawa-South) and has passed second reading at the Senate.
The Director, Mines Directorate, Mr Imam Ganiyu who represented the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake said the ministry had established a special task force for mines in collaboration with other agencies, aimed at combating illegal mining in Nigeria.
He said, “The Special Mine Surveillance Task Force, comprised of multiple security agencies whose sting operations would be coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under the overarching of the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, as detailed in the Special Mines Surveillance Task Force (SMSTF) Standard Operational Procedure (SOP), offers the best options as an integrated approach to combating illegal mining activities.”
Director of Legal Drafting, Mr Patrick Etta-Oyo, the representative of Mr Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, noted that the NSCDC was well trained to tackle illegal mining.