BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The National Unity and Peace Corps (NUPEC) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to expeditiously grant assent to the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service Bill to ensure proper discovery, licensing, and revenue generation of 44 solid minerals on the ground.
The Commandant General of NUPEC, Dr. Chinedu Nneji, made the appeal at a press briefing at the Agency’s headquarters on Monday in Abuja, following a public hearing on the Bill at the National Assembly on November 7, 2024.
According to him, that the passage of the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service bill into law will not only reduce activities of banditry in the affected communities but will boost revenue generation for the country.
“The establishment of NMRS will not only plug the loopholes for loses but is projected to contribute a whooping sum of N70 billion to the federation account at the year of establishment and the figure will continue to increase subsequently. In fact, if this sector is properly harnessed, the Agency can generate as much as N500 trillion yearly after recurrent expenditure,” he asserted.
Nneji further emphasized that the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS) is an offshoot of the National Unity and Peace Corps (NUPEC), that is expected to transform to the NMRS at the conclusion of the Bill by the National Assembly.
“The NMRS is a virgin paramilitary Agency intending to Stop the activities of illegal miners, monitor and regulate environmental degradation caused by mining activities and generate adequate revenue for the Government.
“The Solid minerals in Nigeria are contained in the exclusive list according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This means that it is only the federal government that can adjudicate on matters that have to do with the Solid Minerals Development.
“The Senate has done the due diligence in sponsoring, with the hope of passing this Bill under the leadership of the distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, and it is our sincere hope that this effort will yield positive result for the country.
“The National Unity and Peace Corps, registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria, sought under the Private Member Sponsored Bill, to be dessolved and become the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service after the Presidential assent,” said stated.
The NUPEC Commandant General, while lamenting the effect of illegal mining activities on the country, said statistics have shown that Nigeria has so far lost a whooping N12 trillion.
He added, “Nigeria’s solid minerals sector contributed only 0.77 per cent to the GDP and it is projected to increase by a mere 10 per cent in the coming year, according to Nigerian Bureau of Statistics.
However, Nneji expressed optimism that the establishment of the Agency would create more employment, administer proper licensing fees, acquire appropriate royalties, and ensure proper revenue generation for Nigeria.