The IAEA Country Program Officer for Nigeria, Mr. Mulugeta Amha, said while on a visit to the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) that since Nigeria is the epicentre and the most populous country in Africa, the successful development and implementation of the nuclear power programme will have a multiplier effect and a source of encouragement for other African countries
– Edited by April Murelio –
According to a report from thisdayonline.com, the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, has called on Nigeria to re-double its effort in executing all the necessary programs and projects that will enable the country acquire the capability for nuclear use in the soonest possible time.
The IAEA Country Program Officer for Nigeria, Mr. Mulugeta Amha, said while on a visit to the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) that since Nigeria is the epicentre and the most populous country in Africa, the successful development and implementation of the nuclear power programme will have a multiplier effect and a source of encouragement for other African countries.
Amha, who is on a one-week working visit to Nigeria to access the execution of the current Country Programme Frame (CPF) and Technical Cooperation (TC) between Nigeria and (IAEA), said despite these commitment however, much needed to be done especially in expediting the release of counterpart funds by the government for the execution of the technical cooperation programmes and projects.
A statement by the Principal Information Officer of NAEC, Mr. Vincent said the IAEA chief had commended the government and people of Nigeria for the commitment towards the development and deployment of atomic energy for peaceful application in the socio-economic development of the country.
Otu quoted the IAEA Offcial as saying that though the agency has alot of regard for Nigeria but that the rate of project implementation in relation to the nuclear power programme is low when compared to African countries with similar programs.
Amha also called on the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission to ensure that counterpart organization benefiting from the country programme framework(CPF) adhere strictly to the stipulated approved work plans and project design specifications, noting that any deviation from approved project designs and work plans would not synchronize with the records and schedules of the IAEA. He added that while the IAEA expects bi-ennial country reports from NAEC as the national liaison office (NLO), NAEC should ensure that counterpart organization and institutions benefiting from technical cooperation (TC) project present quarterly progress reports and work plans.
He said that though the agency approves only eight projects per country, in a technical cooperation ,TC, circle after which the IAEA phases out these projects for others, the phasing in and out of projects should not warrant the discontinuation of such projects.
He advised benefiting organizations and countries to apply for the extension or continuation of uncompleted projects in future TC circles or seek alternative means of successfully completing such projects as uncompleted or abandoned projects will not advance the developmental needs and objectives of participating countries and organizations.
Other avenues by which new and uncompleted projects can be sustained and completed outside the technical cooperation lifespan is to either utilize the national budgets or regional funding arrangements like the Africa Regional Projects (AFRA).
The IAEA country Director pledged that, on his part, he will ensure that all the eight projects in the current country programme framework (CPF) and technical cooperation circle are completed and all uncompleted ones extended to the next CPF /technical cooperation circle.
The Director General of NAEC, Dr. Erepamo Osaisai, while recieving the IAEA delegation expressed the commitment of the government of Nigeria and NAEC as the liaison organization to ensure that Nigeria and counterpart organisation put in place all the needed input for the development and sustainable deployment of nuclear energy for the socio- political development of Nigeria.
He assured the IAEA country programmes officer, that all the relevant government officials and organization have been sensitized and mobilized to ensure that all the necessary inputs and resources are released on time to meet targets towards building a successful nuclear programme in Nigeria.