Again, Senator Ekong Sampson Brings Solid Minerals to Critical National Attention
…as Senate holds Public Hearing on Nigeria Mines Rangers Service Bill
By Samuel Udoma
ABUJA – Yesterday, Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South and Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, once again, brought Nigeria’s minerals sector to the front burner of national conversation, at the Public Hearing on the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (Establishment) Bill.
It was indeed, a feast of intellectualism as top legislators, policy drivers, experts and industry players, converged on the National Assembly and brainstormed on the merits and demerits of the proposed Bill. Different interest groups, practitioners and stakeholders made presentations and submitted their memoranda.
In his well worded welcome address, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ekong Sampson acknowledged the critical role that the mining sector plays in economic diversification, foreign direct investment and exchange earnings, wealth and job creation in Nigeria.
He posited that for the sector to meet projected expectations, there was need for reform and legislative repositioning. Senator Sampson noted that with its vast potentials, the mining sector deserved every necessary policy attention and intervention to fast-track its full exploration.
Senator Sampson however, lamented that over the years, Nigeria’s mining sector has regrettably, been confronted with grave problems of illegal mining and insecurity. He said the two issues constituted somes of the sector’s major drawbacks:
‘Nigeria continues to bleed heavily from the activities of some conscienceless mining operators who decapitate our environment, so to say, sabotage our economy and murder, maim and displace our citizens through sponsored banditry”, he said.
Senator Sampson condemned the attitude of some operators in the industry, who when invited by the National Assembly for interface or enquiry, resorted to writing long letters in an attempt to fetter the constitutional oversight functions of the National Assembly.
The Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin pledged that the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals was committed to ‘exploring trajectories to drive reform in the sector, in our country so hugely blessed with natural resources but challenged by the contradictions of abundance’.
Senator Sampson further harped on the need for security, accurate data and positive collaboration between the tiers of government to stimulate meaningful reform in the sector. Sampson expressed appreciation to the leadership of the 10th Senate for its support to the Committee, and to the Ministry of Solid Minerals and other stakeholders, for their collaboration and partnership.
In his speech, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio GCON, represented by Senator Diket Plang, himself, a member of the Committee, commended Sampson-led Solid Minerals Committee for its commitment to pushing legislations that can help reinvigorate Nigeria’s economy.
Leading the presentations during the technical session, Sponsor of the Bill, Senator Onawo Mohammed Ogoshi, representing Nasarawa South said the Mines Rangers Bill was conceptualized to among other things, fight illegal mining, monitor operations in the sector and also create jobs for the youths of Nigeria.
Some of the speakers at the hearing who offered the insights on the Bill included Senators, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, represented by Engr. Umar Bala of the Mines Inspectorate Department, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-ojo, represented by Mrs Geraldine Okafor, a Director in the Ministry, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, represented by Patrick Oyong, Director, Legal Matters in the Ministry.
Others were the Commandant-General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the Nigerian Governors Forum, Commandant-General of the Nigeria Peace Corps, Dr. Uchenna Nneji, the Nigeria Army represented by Brig. Gen. W. Obi, Head of Policy, Army Headquarter, representatives from Nigeria Customs, Immigration,
royal fathers, and others, offered their insights and positions on the Bill.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Ekong Sampson while summarizing the submissions, said the Committee will take into consideration, all the memoranda and positions received at the hearing for further legislative action – in the interest of the nation.
Among the roll of dignitaries at the well attended hearing were Senator Peter Nwebonyi, Deputy Whip of the Senate, Senator Garba Maidoki, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Senator Benson Friday Kombowei, Senator Amos Yohanna, Senator Kelvin Chukwu, among others. Representatives of the Emir of Mubi, Adamawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Isa, Emir of Yahuri, Kebbi State, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, among others, also graced the occasion.
