Senate seeks IAEA expertise for proposed nuclear energy law
Wed Mar 16, 2016 10:00:am National
2K By sosa hills
Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday said the Senate will work closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) to enact a comprehensive law that will give Nigeria access to use nuclear energy for the generation of Power and other peaceful purposes.
Saraki, according to his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja made this known when the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Dr Erepamo Osaisai and his management team led the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ambassador Yukiya Amano, paid him a courtesy visit.
He said the nation's objective as regards nuclear energy is clear particularly in the area of Power generation, saying that Nigeria is ready to play her role and work closely with the world's nuclear regulatory body for the utilisation of nuclear energy for developmental purposes.
"The message here is that we need to work together in providing a robust, comprehensive law that will allow us to take advantage of nuclear energy for the purpose of development and peace in this country.
"It is clear particularly in the area of Power generation and in order to ensure the development of our country that we must move away from the low level of generation.
"We believe that as the largest economy in Africa, and a country with a population of 160 million with a thriving democratic government, I think we have earned our seat in a place where we too should play our own role to be a very strong member of IAEA.
"We are prepared to work very closely with the IAEA and I think one of the things we should look at after this is to organise a stakeholders' meeting so that we can put together a law that will provide comfort to IAEA, the users and investors.
"I want to assure you that we are ready to work to pass a law that will meet global best practices and that will give confidence to the agency and everybody", Saraki assured.
The IAEA boss added: "The best way to ensure the safety of nuclear energy is to enact a robust and comprehensive law. It is only lawmakers that can enact a comprehensive law to protect human health and environment and to ensure that there is nuclear safety.
Saraki, according to his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja made this known when the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Dr Erepamo Osaisai and his management team led the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ambassador Yukiya Amano, paid him a courtesy visit.
He said the nation's objective as regards nuclear energy is clear particularly in the area of Power generation, saying that Nigeria is ready to play her role and work closely with the world's nuclear regulatory body for the utilisation of nuclear energy for developmental purposes.
"The message here is that we need to work together in providing a robust, comprehensive law that will allow us to take advantage of nuclear energy for the purpose of development and peace in this country.
"It is clear particularly in the area of Power generation and in order to ensure the development of our country that we must move away from the low level of generation.
"We believe that as the largest economy in Africa, and a country with a population of 160 million with a thriving democratic government, I think we have earned our seat in a place where we too should play our own role to be a very strong member of IAEA.
"We are prepared to work very closely with the IAEA and I think one of the things we should look at after this is to organise a stakeholders' meeting so that we can put together a law that will provide comfort to IAEA, the users and investors.
"I want to assure you that we are ready to work to pass a law that will meet global best practices and that will give confidence to the agency and everybody", Saraki assured.
The IAEA boss added: "The best way to ensure the safety of nuclear energy is to enact a robust and comprehensive law. It is only lawmakers that can enact a comprehensive law to protect human health and environment and to ensure that there is nuclear safety.
Related News
Leave a comment...