The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has opposed the Bill seeking the establishment of Nigerian Mines Rangers Service.
The Corps faulted the Bill, describing it as an attempt to usurp and transfer It’s through the backdoor.
The Commandant-General of the Corps, Ahmed Audi, while presenting the position of the Corps before stakeholders at a public hearing in Abuja on Thursday said, argued that, establishment of the proposed NMRS was a deliberate plan to weaken the ongoing fight against illegal mining in the country.
Audi observed that, the Corps in collaboration with the ministry of Solid Minerals Development have established Mining Marshal.
Highlighting the achievements of the Marshal, he said, over 50 vandals have been arrested. Those arrested include Chinese nationals. Adding that, in Kogi State, the Corps Marshals have dismantled 34 Bandit camps.
Speaking further, Mr. Audi said the Corps have introduced sanity, such that prospective miners are now seeking licences.
He begged the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals not to allow the bill to scale through.
The NSCDC was not the only agency opposed to the establishment of NMRS, the Nigerian Army, Ministry of Interior, Federal Ministry of Justice were also opposed to the establishment of NMRS.
Also Senator Allwell Onyesoh argued that creating additional agencies to perform the same functions as the NSCDC would lead to duplication and waste of resources.
They said the NMRC is a duplication of the core mandate of the NSCDC. They unanimously advised that instead of creating a new agency, the personnel capacity of the NSCDC should be expanded. Funding and training for the Corps should also be prioritised.
The Bill however, enjoyed support from the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Zamfara State Ministry of Environmental, the Emir of Zuru and the National Peace and Unity Corps.
The Bill was sponsored by Senator Muhammed Onawo, Senator representing Nasarawa South.
