FG Reaffirms Unwavering Commitment To Advancing Radiation Safety, Security

By Miriam Humbe

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella has said that Nigeria is committed to advancing radiation safety and security for the benefit of the present and future generations.

Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa (Mrs) revealed this in a statement signed on Monday.

Amb. Ella said this at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) first Coordination meeting of RAF 9070 Project with the theme “Enhancing the Radiation Safety Infrastructure (AFRA)”.

It was organised by the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday, 13th May, 2024 in Abuja.

The Permanent Secretary recalled that the Integrated Regulatory Service (IRRS) Mission held in 2017 recognised that Nigeria had a committed regulatory body for the protection of people and the environment, and for continuous improvement of safety, which has also been demonstrated with the invitation of IRRS Mission.

The Permanent Secretary said that the IRRS team also identified a good practice and made recommendations where improvements were necessary to enhance NNRA’s regulatory framework in line with the IAEA safety standards.

He said: “The identified good practice was that NNRA conducts routine workshops and training s about the possible radiation risks associated with facilities and activities and about the processes and decisions of the regulatory body”.

Ella said that Nuclear Regulators throughout the world faced significant challenges given the complexity and diversity of activities and practices involving radioactive and nuclear materials and radiation generating devices.

He therefore charged the participants to be good Ambassadors and Representatives of their respective countries and make their participation productively worthwhile with utmost commitment towards proffering positive contributions that will help the project to succeed.

Experts at the five-day workshop were drawn from the continent of Africa and across the International Community, most especially the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).