The Senate has approved a bill for the establishment of the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service, a special agency designed to combat illegal mining and enhance security in mining communities nationwide.
The approval was granted following the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, which is chaired by Senator Ekong Samson, during the plenary session on Tuesday.
Senator Samson, while presenting the report, stated that the new agency would provide “a structured framework to monitor mining activities, enforce environmental and safety laws, and ensure sustainable mining practices.” The bill, sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, seeks to protect mining sites, regulate operations, and safeguard host communities often impacted by illegal mining.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the session, commented that the proposed Service would strengthen existing mining laws and bring sanity to the sector. He added, “This bill, when signed into law, will help protect our natural resources, create jobs, and improve government revenue.”
Senators who participated in the debate welcomed the creation of the Mines Rangers Service as a crucial step toward addressing the rising cases of illegal mining and insecurity in resource-rich areas.
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