Reps Call For School Safety Fund, Illegal Mining Theft Task Force

House of Representatives has recommended the establishment of a dedicated fund specifically for school safety to support the implementation of advanced security measures and training of security personnel and communities on strategies for protecting educational environments.

Speaker of the House, Hon Abbas Tajudeen, who disclosed this in his welcome address at the resumed plenary yesterday after the Easter and Eid-el-Fitr break, said mindful of the financial requirements, the model can be piloted in a few schools, especially those that are most vulnerable to such attacks.
Abbas said the House will work with the Senate to ensure speedy consideration and onward transmission to the President for his assent to the legislation that enhances coordination between different security agencies.

He said when finalised, the law will establish a clear framework for intelligence sharing and response coordination, which can significantly improve the country’s preventive capabilities.
According to the speaker, the House supported President Tinubu’s drive to establish a regional counter-terrorism centre for intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building throughout Africa.

Abbas also said recommendations from the recent National Dialogue on State Policing have been forwarded to the Committee on Constitutional Alteration for further legislative action while a steering Committee for the Legislative Security Summit scheduled to hold in the third quarter of the year have been constituted with members drawn from all the security-based committees of the House.

He also said the House has recommended the establishment of a joint task force dedicated to addressing illegal mining and mineral theft to coordinate between various government agencies such as the mining police to ensure a unified and robust response to these crimes.

“The theft of minerals undermines our economy, reducing the funds available for public services, infrastructure, and welfare programs that could uplift millions of our citizens out of poverty. Furthermore, these illegal activities damage the environment and threaten livelihoods.

“In line with our agenda to boost government income and diversify the economy, the House will tighten regulations around mining operations, increase penalties for violations, and improve surveillance and enforcement mechanisms.

“Our intervention in this sector will necessarily involve closer collaboration with the Executive. As such, we recommend the establishment of a joint task force dedicated to addressing illegal mining and mineral theft.

“Additionally, the House will amend and enact legislation that will deter such activities and promote a transparent and sustainable mining sector. These legislative measures will include stricter licensing processes, enhanced penalties for non-compliance, and incentives for adopting best practices in environmental conservation,” Abbas said.

The speaker who acknowledged the government’s significant strides toward improving the economy, emphasised the need to implement measures that will strengthen the value of Naira in the long term such as implementing policies and initiatives focusing on value creation, multiplication and expansion.