Nigeria steps up nuclear energy operations

The Federal Government has concluded plans to improve Nuclear Energy operations in Nigeria, with the aim of utilizing it to drive growth and development in the health and power sectors of the economy. With recent Conversion and Integration of advanced Nuclear Research projects embarked upon by the Nigerian Atomic Energy Agency, the government was optimistic that Nigeria is on the right path. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha disclosed these in his address at the opening ceremony of the 9th IAEA technical meeting on Conversion of Miniature Neutron source Reactors in Abuja. In a statement released by the senior Information Officer Olusegun Ogunkayode in Abuja on Wednesday, Mustapha who was represented by the permanent Secretary Political and Economic Affairs, Gabriel Aduda assured Nigeria’s commitment to a peaceful application of nuclear energy. He said the event was to celebrate achievements recorded so far in Nuclear Energy researches such as the attainment of full power activation of 34KW by low enriched Uranium core earlier this year. He noted that “for growth and development , Nigeria would continue to collaborate with the IAEA and other international partners in the pursuit of energy for technology advancement in the area of health care delivery, food and agriculture, energy and power”. Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, was chosen to manage the research project, with international collaboration from USA, China and the IAEA. The representative of the Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Kabir Bala expressed optimism in the institution’s capacity to deliver on all phases of the project. “The management of Ahmadu Bello University has constituted two project management teams for the conversion activities. “The concert team would work closely with Arfon National Laboratory USA to handle all activities relating to the new Low Enrich Uranium, while the Remove team is saddled with the responsibility of removing the old Highly Enriched Uranium core and its return to China,” he revealed. Adebisi Oyindamola, Abuja