FG Inaugurates Joint Committee On Atomic Energy Commission

Federal Government has inaugurated the re-constituted Russian-Nigerian Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of the National Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC).

Gatekeepers News reports that the committee was inaugurated in an effort to resuscitate the relationship between the two countries in cooperation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office, Dr. Habiba Lawal, inaugurated the members in Abuja today (Thursday).

SGF said the framework of Nigeria’s bilateral relationship with the Russian Federation, a number of Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) were signed between the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and Russia’s State-owned Nuclear Corporation (ROSATOM).

He noted that the move was for cooperation in the design, construction and decommissioning of nuclear power plants on the territory of Nigeria.

He added that JCC was put in place to allow for effective negotiations, particularly focused on ensuring that Nigeria is not subjected to any unfair trade agreements during the process of the country’s engagement and discussions with ROSATOM.

“As JCC members, a lot is expected from you in the discharge of this onerous task. Considering the calibre of people that have been assembled here today, I am optimistic that the committee will succeed,” Mustapha said.

Speaking earlier, Acting Chairman/CEO of NAEC, Prof. Yusuf Ahmed, disclosed that Nigeria’s tremendous feat has secured the country a seat for the 16th time as one of the four African countries on the 35-member Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the highest policy organ of the IAEA.

In order to sustain the feat, Prof. Ahmed Yusuf, revealed that NAEC has continued to reorientate the public on the general misconception of nuclear and its applications in different human endeavors.

He said: “Nigeria must begin to work towards diversifying her energy resource base to include nuclear in order to ensure the country’s energy security.”

In his acceptance speech on behalf of JCC, the Director, Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Dr. Nasir Bello assured the government of the preparedness of the members to collectively bring into the assignment their vast technical and professional expertise.

“The terms of reference of the committee are to provide a broad framework for cooperation with Russia and ensure implementation of all agreements,” Bello said.