The International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA which conducted an audit of Nigeria’s nuclear and radiation safety regulatory framework, as well as the country’s preparedness for nuclear and radiation emergencies has identify five weak areas that need improvement if Nigeria wants to go further with its nuclear programme.
Speaking at the closing ceremony in Abuja, after ten days of intensive work, Mr. Lamberto Matteocci, Team Leader of the IAEA’s Integrated Regulatory Review Service, IRRS, Mission to Nigeria, pointed out five areas where the country need to improve upon.
He said, “The NNRA should carry an analysis of all competencies needed to cover its responsibilities and develop and implement a human resource and training plan. The regulatory body should ensure that all facilities and activities have a valid authorisation, and establish and implement an enforcement policy to respond to non-compliance.
“The NNRA the leader said should consider formalising cooperation with other authorities having responsibilities related to safety.”
Furthermore, the team advised the Federal Government to amend its action plan to account for any new issues of the recommendations and suggestions, while it encouraged the country to write the IRRS for a follow-up mission within three to four years.
He noted that the final mission report would be provided to Nigeria in about three months, stating that the IAEA had secured the assurances of the Nigerian authorities that they plan to make the report public.
Director General of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency, NNRA, Professor Lawrence Dim, said the Federal Government would work with the IAEA to develop a work-plan for the implementation of the mission’s recommendations and suggestions.
He said, “Nigeria is always ready to cooperate with the Agency in the area of nuclear and radiation safety, as well as in other areas. We are committed to using the IAEA safety standards and international best practices to improve our policy, and legal, technical and regulatory infrastructure.”
The IRRS team commended Nigeria, especially the NNRA, for its efforts and commitment to improving safety and the protection of people and the environment. It also stated that the NNRA displayed good practice in its routine training for the new media aimed at providing information about its processes and decisions as well as the possible radiation risks associated with facilities and activities.
It however, stated that the NNRA, which is the regulatory body in charge of nuclear and radiation issues in Nigeria, was faced with challenges in ensuring its full independence in decision-making and in developing its competence to effectively conduct regulatory activities, particularly in light of Nigeria’s planned nuclear power programme.
The IRRS team disclosed that Nigeria makes extensive use of radiation sources in medical and industrial application, science and research, and also has a research reactor used for the analysis of materials and training.
In its recommendations and suggestions on areas in which Nigeria can improve upon, the IRRS team said the Federal Government should establish a national policy on safety and ensure that the corresponding legal framework is in line with IAEA safety standards.
It also recommended that t he government should ensure that that the NNRA is effectively independent and is functionally separate from entities having responsibilities of interests that could influence its decision making.
