The House of Representatives has passed for second reading, a Bill for an Act to assure adequate funding for mineral resources exploration and extraction through public private partnership.

Sponsor of the Bill, Hon. Lanre Okunlola, member representing Surulere 2 federal Constituency, Lagos State while leading the debate during plenary explained that the aim of the Bill is to ensure that the mining industry reaches its full potential.

Hon. Okunlola said the partnership will reduce the nation's dependence on oil and will boost the economy as well as create job opportunity

Members while contributing to the debate commended the sponsor of the Bill noting that the bill will boost the value of the nation's economy as the untapped mineral resources in the country is more than eighty percent.

Following further debate, the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas after calling for voice vote which went to the House majority, referred the Bill to the Committee on Solid minerals development further legislative input.

Meanwhile, A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 to Provide Voting Rights for Nigerians in Diaspora and for Related Matters has also passed for second reading.

The Bill was sponsored by the House Speaker Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and a member of the House, Hon. Sadiq Ango Abudllahi.