The Federal Government yesterday gave a firm commitment on the country’s intention to comply with all international requirements necessary for a safe implementation of a nuclear power programme.
Nigeria’s expression of commitment came on the heels of an assurance by the United States of America that it would back an African bid to acquire nuclear power plant.
Special Adviser to the President on Petroleum Matters and the Alternate Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Dr. Emmanuel Egboga who spoke at the commencement of a four-day nuclear executive workshop in Abuja, said government sees the introduction of nuclear power technology as a major option in its quest for long term national energy security and the achievement of the ambition to become one of the top 20 economies of the world.
He said the country is in dire need of opportunities to improve its electricity generation capabilities, which at present is at its lowest ebb, with per capita electricity consumption rate of 136KWh/capita as against 563KWh by other African countries.
Egboga said government is pursuing a programme of accelerated expansion of the country’s power generation infrastructure with nuclear power programme as an important aspect of the plan.
“The nuclear workshop by the Forum for Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNBA) and the NNRA offers yet another opportunity to reiterate the federal government avowed commitment to comply with and implement all international requirements necessary for a safe nuclear power programme”, he said.
According to the Presidential aid, NNRA has the primary mandate to perform all necessary functions that would enable the country meet its national and international safety obligations in the peaceful applications of nuclear energy a
Speaking on the progress made so far in actualising the nuclear ambition, Egboga said a draft bill on national nuclear power sitting regulations has now passed the second reading at the National Assembly which is intended to further provide safety guards on nuclear energy operation.
The US ambassador to Nigeria Robin Sanders, said her country is providing technical and scientific support to African partners through the International energy Agency (IAEA) and by working with such agencies as the NNRA and the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) .
“The United Atates government is pleased that African countries have come together to create the forum of nuclear regulatory bodies in Africa to exchange ideas and expriences in building their nuclear legislative and regulatory capacity”
Sanders said President Obama will be hosting a nuclear security summit in Washington D.C. in April where heads of state will be considering ways of ensuring global nuclear security.
She said nuclear technology is an important element in the mix of power generation sources that countries are exploring boost their electricity capacity, adding that it requires long-term planning and development as well as a huge investment out-lay to successfully execute the programme.
The ambassador spoke of the need to guard against the risks involved in the application of nuclear technology and the importance of making sure that nuclear materials does not fall into wrong hands.
The Director-General of NNRA, Mr. Shamusedeen Elegba explained that the objectives of the workshop include, serving as a platform for fostering regional cooperation, exchange of expertise and opportunity for mutual support and coordination of regional initiatives.