Why Nigeria won’t rush into building nuclear power, by NAEC

NIGERIA is unrelenting in its desire to utilise other energy sources, including nuclear technology to address its electricity supply challenges.

But drawing from the mistakes and successes of other countries currently generating power from nuclear technology, Nigeria won’t rush into building a nuclear power without developing the requisite manpower and establishing a strong safety structure, among others, the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) has said.

The Commission, which is the national focal agency for nuclear energy development in the country, has said it is taking seriously President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive to vigorously implement the nuclear power roadmap.

The Chairman of NAEC, Dr. Erepamo Osaisai, told The Guardian in Abuja that if meticulously implemented, the roadmap would position Nigeria to generate electricity from nuclear power plants before the end of the decade (in the next 10 years).

Responding to a question on when the first nuclear plants would start-off, he said: “Whenever the question of timing comes in, I am a little bit reluctant in spilling out dates and all that. The reason being that for any country to successfully implement a nuclear power programme, there are basic things you must do. You must lay an enduring foundation; there must be a fundamental understanding of what we are going into as a country.

All those activities, including development of the requisite human resource base and proper manpower training – because nuclear technology is human capital intensive and you must have people who are very well trained – are essential components that must be addressed first. You also may need to have the needed physical infrastructure in the country. These things take time to develop.”

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By Martins Oloja and Emeka Anuforo, Abuja 

-The Guardian