International Atomic Energy Agency in Nigeria To Assess Nuclear Regulatory Infrastructure

The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) yesterday arrived Nigeria to assess the nuclear infrastructure in the country.

IAEA Tasks Nigeria To Ensure Safety, Security of its Nuclear Energy Programme

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has tasked Nigeria on the need to ensure that its nuclear power programme is safe, secured enough to provide electricity for 100 years.

The Deputy Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr Mikhail Chudakov, gave the advice after a closed door meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Defence House, Abuja on Monday.

According to him, Nigeria must be fully prepared and responsible for the safe operation of its nuclear power programme.

“IAEA is not in the position to push some countries to create nuclear power. But if any country decides to create peaceful nuclear power we will be there to help the country and to suggest our programmes in order to operate nuclear power in safe manner.

“Nigeria did a lot in order to create the necessary infrastructure (for nuclear power development).

Dr Mikhail Chudakov and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Defence House

“You should be reminded also that this is a specific source of energy and it should for 100 years and operate (necessary) for 100 years and that is why the country should be prepared for this and should be fully responsible for the safety culture; for safe operation of a nuclear power in the country.”

He commended Nigeria for its efforts toward the development of peaceful nuclear power plants.

In his remarks, Chief Executive of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Dr Erepamo Osaisai, said the IAEA delegation was in Nigeria to assess the state of readiness of the nation’s nuclear power infrastructure.

He said that the delegation would be in the country for the next two weeks.

“The essence of this is that the IAEA, being the UN nuclear watch dog, is committed to nuclear safety and they are here to work with us to ensure that Nigeria adheres to the highest standard of nuclear safety.

“Their mission will go on here for two weeks and we hope and believe that is going to benefit our country.”

Source:
PM News

Exclusive: Iraq Tells U.N. that 'Terrorist Groups' Seized Nuclear Materials

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Insurgents in Iraq have seized nuclear materials used for scientific research at a university in the country's north, Iraq told the United Nations in a letter appealing for help to "stave off the
threat of their use by terrorists in Iraq or abroad."
Nearly 40 kilograms (88 pounds) of uranium compounds were kept at Mosul University, Iraq's U.N. Ambassador Mohamed Ali Alhakim told U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in the July 8 letter obtained by Reuters on Wednesday.
"Terrorist groups have seized control of nuclear material at the sites that came out of the control of the state," Alhakim wrote, adding that such materials "can be used in manufacturing weapons of mass destruction."
"These nuclear materials, despite the limited amounts mentioned, can enable terrorist groups, with the availability of the required expertise, to use it separate or in combination with other materials in its terrorist acts," said Alhakim. He warned that they could also be smuggled out of Iraq.

A U.S. government source familiar with the matter said the materials were not believed to be enriched uranium and therefore would be difficult to use to manufacture into a weapon. Another U.S. official familiar with security matters said he was unaware of this development raising any alarm among U.S. authorities.

A Sunni Muslim group known as the Islamic State is spearheading a patchwork of insurgents who have
taken over large swaths of Syria and Iraq. The al Qaeda offshoot until recently called itself the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
"The Republic of Iraq is notifying the international community of these dangerous developments and asking for help and the needed support to stave off the threat of their use by terrorists in Iraq or abroad," Alhakim wrote.

Iraq acceded to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material on Monday, said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The convention requires states to protect nuclear facilities and material in peaceful domestic use, storage and transport.
"It also provides for expanded cooperation between and among states regarding rapid measures to locate and recover stolen or smuggled nuclear material, mitigate any radiological consequences of sabotage, and prevent and combat related offences," according to the IAEA.

Courtesy:
Reuters