Nigeria faces a daunting challenge of illegal mining, losing an estimated $9 billion annually, Nigeria is grappling with the severe challenge of illegal mining, which drains an estimated $9 billion annually from the nation’s economy, according to the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals Development.
Recognizing these monumental losses, the Federal Government has consistently taken a firm stance against illegal mining.
One of its notable measures has been the establishment of the Special Mining Marshals under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
These marshals have been working relentlessly to clamp down on illegal miners who exploit the country’s valuable mineral resources, effectively fleecing the nation of its collective wealth.
The NSCDC’s Mining Marshals have recorded significant successes, dismantled illegal operations and brought perpetrators to justice.
Despite these strides, the Nigerian Senate recently passed a bill proposing the creation of the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS), an entirely new agency.
This move, rather than complementing ongoing efforts, risks undermining existing progress, creating redundancies, and diverting scarce resources at a time when the government is prioritizing cost-cutting and streamlining.
The NMRS Bill is not just unnecessary; it is counterproductive and poses a direct threat to the efficiency of Nigeria’s fight against illegal mining.
This bill, championed by Hon. Onawo Ogoshi, aims to combat illegal mining, enforce mining regulations, and respond to emergencies within the sector. However, these functions are already being effectively carried out by the NSCDC Mining Marshals, whose trained personnel have dismantled illegal mining camps, arrested operators, and seized illegal mining equipment.
Recent successes, such as the dismantling of 34 illegal mining camps in Kogi and the arrests of over 300 operators, demonstrate that the existing framework is not only functional but robust.
Proponents of the bill argue that establishing a specialized agency akin to the Mines Rescue Service in other countries would bolster efforts to combat illegal mining and improve emergency response in the sector. While this idea may seem appealing on the surface, it represents a significant misstep when considered within Nigeria’s unique context.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) already has a dedicated and well-trained Special Force specifically tasked with addressing illegal mining and related challenges. This unit has been operationally effective, demonstrating its capability to fulfill the very functions proposed for the new agency.
Establishing another agency, such as the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS), would not enhance the fight against illegal mining but instead create unnecessary duplication of roles. It would introduce additional layers of bureaucracy, complicating coordination and slowing down decision-making processes.
Moreover, overlapping responsibilities between the NMRS and existing entities, particularly the NSCDC, are likely to result in jurisdictional conflicts.
Such disputes could erode the hard-earned interagency collaboration that has been instrumental in the fight against illegal mining, ultimately undermining national security efforts. Rather than fostering synergy, the creation of a new agency risks fragmenting responsibilities and fostering inefficiencies, all at a significant financial cost to the government.
This approach, while perhaps well-intentioned, ignores the reality that enhancing the operational capacity of existing structures, like the NSCDC Special Force, would yield far greater benefits without the drawbacks of redundancy and mismanagement. Critically, the proposed NMRS faces overwhelming opposition from stakeholders, including the Federal Ministries of Solid Minerals, Interior, and Justice, the Nigeria Army, the Immigration Service, and the NSCDC. During the November 7, 2024, public hearing, these entities unequivocally rejected the bill, citing its redundancy and the duplication of existing agency functions.
The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals rightly pointed out that the Mining Surveillance Taskforce already coordinates multiple security agencies to address illegal mining.
The consensus is clear: strengthening existing agencies is the solution, not creating new ones.
The timing of this proposal is equally concerning. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritized reducing government expenditures and streamlining agencies to cut costs.
Establishing the NMRS contradicts this fiscal prudence, introducing additional financial burdens through recruitment, training, infrastructure, and operational costs.
Nigeria’s mining sector contributes a meagre 0.17% to the GDP; the focus should be on bolstering its contribution, not diverting resources to create a redundant agency. Furthermore, introducing the NMRS opens the door to corruption and rent-seeking behaviours, risks the government cannot afford as it battles pressing economic challenges. Instead of fostering development, the bill risks creating a bureaucratic quagmire that hinders progress.
Also, instead of creating a new agency, the government should focus on strengthening the NSCDC’s Mining Unit by enhancing its resources, training, and operational capacity to tackle illegal mining more effectively.
Additionally, improving the regulatory framework through the enforcement of the Minerals and Mining Act, 1999, would ensure adherence to environmental and safety standards while addressing underlying issues in the sector.
Furthermore, engaging the private sector is crucial to stimulating investments and fostering innovation, which can boost the mining sector’s contribution to the nation’s economy. Without mincing words, the NMRS Bill is an ill-advised proposal that undermines existing structures, wastes resources, and diverts attention from the critical task of strengthening Nigeria’s mining sector.
The Senate must heed the concerns of stakeholders and prioritize fiscal responsibility and efficiency.
Rejecting this bill is not just a matter of practicality but a necessary step toward sustainable governance and economic growth.
This is the moment for decisive leadership. Let us consolidate our resources, strengthen existing agencies, and work collectively towards building a mining sector that truly contributes to Nigeria’s prosperity.
The NMRS Bill must be rejected—outrightly and without compromise.
