From Eze Okechukwu Godson, Abuja

The Senate yesterday passed for third reading the South West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024.

Passage of the bill for third reading by the Senate during plenary was sequel to a report submitted to that effect by the Chairman, Senate committee on Special Duties, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC, Borno Central).

Senator Kaka in his presentation of the report for establishment of the South West Development Commission said the intents and purposes of the bill were well structured for socio – economic development of the South West region.

“If the Commission is established through a Presidential assent to the bill, it will like other development – driven Commissions established on zonal basis receive funds from the federation account, donations from development partners etc, to address infrastructural deficits and tackle ecological problems in the region “, he said.

The Senate accordingly moved into Committee of the whole for clause by clause consideration of the bill after which it was read for the third time.

In his remarks after the passage of the bill, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin who presided over the session commended the Senator Kaka led committee for a job well done.

According to him, the South West Development Commission like other ones recently established will address the infrastructural and ecological challenges in the South West.

“The essence of the various development commissions being set up is to fast track development of the entire country.

“President Bola Tinubu has assented to similar bills passed for zonal development – driven interventions and will surely assent to this one “, he said.

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The Senate yesterday confirmed the appointment of Olukemi Victoria Iyantan as one of the Commissioners in the National Population Commission (NPC). She represents Ondo State.

The confirmation of her appointment by the Senate followed the consideration of a recommendation made by its Committee on National Identity Card and National Population.

The Chairman of the Committee , Senator Abdul Ningi ( PDP, Bauchi Central) who presented the report that recommended the confirmation of Iyantan’s appointment said based on credentials made available to the Committee and public service pedigree of the presidential nominee, she deserved the appointment and should be confirmed by the Senate .

The Senate accordingly moved into the Committee of the Whole for clause by clause consideration and confirmation of her appointment as Commissioner of the National Population Commission.

In his remarks after the confirmation, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin who presided over the session admonished Iyantan to join other commissioners and Chairman of NPC in moving the Commission forward.

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

A bill seeking the establishment of a special security outfit to prevent illegal mining activities in the country yesterday passed second reading at the Senate, signaling doom for bandits and illegal miners.

The Specialized security outfit as proposed in the bill sponsored by Senator Mohammed Onawo (PDP, Nasarawa South) is to be known as the Nigerian Mine Rangers Service (NMRS), if it eventually passes third reading in the Senate.

Senator Onawo in his lead debate on the bill said the proposed NMRS when established, would be saddled with the responsibilities of safeguarding mining operations, enforcement of mining / environmental and safety regulations as well as promoting sustainable mining practices in Nigeria.

He specifically explained that the proposed Mine Rangers Service as specialized security outfit will among others, curb illegal mining across the country, rescue trapped miners, provide emergency medical care, investigate mining accidents and enforce compliance with mining regulations.

“The proposed piece of legislation has been painstakingly developed and streamlined to curb illegal mining, thereby providing avenues for harnessing the vast mineral resources in Nigeria.

 “The bill is bold legislative step geared towards the diversification of our economy by de – emphasising monolithic focus on oil as the main source of the country’s revenue “, he said.

Virtually all the Senators who contributed to debate on the bill, described the proposed Mine Rangers Service as welcome development for protecting and securing the various mining sites across the country.

Specifically, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu said the proposed security outfit, will help to stop the yearly loss of $18.9billion by Nigeria to illegal mining.

“The proposed specialized security outfits for protection of mining sites across the country will it yearly loss of $18.9billion to illegal miners.

“The Mine Rangers Service, as envisioned, will not only curb illegal mining but also combat banditry “, he said.

In his remarks after the passage of the bill for second reading, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, described the bill as a very good one as far as required protection and regulations enforcement in the mining sector are concerned.

“We need special security arrangement in the mining sector which this bill is proposing.

“It will also help to combat banditry because one of the recently killed notorious bandits, was just a security guard to miners, later turned to miner himself and added banditry to it. He had a lot of mining sites where he carried out illegal mining.

“The proposed law for special security outfit for mining sector is very apt, because it will also help to identify criminals “, he said.

For expeditious consideration and passage, the DSP later mandated the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals to make more legislative inputs into it and report back in two weeks’ time.