FG moves to begin exploitation of uranium for nuclear power use

The Federal Government has commenced moves to generate electricity from nuclear materials, particularly through the exploration, exploitation and utilisation of uranium, The Punch reports.

To achieve this, the government invited experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to conduct a week long training for nuclear practitioners and security officers in the country on the extraction, exploitation and utilisation of the substance. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Training Course on Nuclear Security for the Uranium Extraction Industry in Abuja, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, stated that it was important for Nigeria to exploit available resources in order to meet its power needs.

The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), Prof. Lawrence Dim, told journalists that the latest training would expose participants on how to improve uranium for power generation, as the country does not have the required technology to do that at the moment, adding that there were no safety concerns for Nigerians to be worried about. The Senior Nuclear Security Officer, IAEA, Mr Robert Larsen, also stated that the exploration of uranium in Nigeria does not pose any threat to global security.