www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/energy-mix-nigeria-eyes-atomic-energy/







BY CHRIS OCHAYI

ABUJA: The Federal Government yesterday
said it will in no distant future look into the
direction of developing nuclear energy in
order to boost her quest for a robust
energy mix.

The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo
disclosed this while receiving the visiting
delegation of the International Atomic
Energy Council, IAEC, led by its Deputy
Director-General, Mr. Kwanu Aning, in Abuja.

Nebo said it is no longer acceptable for the
nation to put all its eggs in one basket,
insisting that Nigeria will need to correct
and avoid in the future hiccups, occasioned
by lack of gas to power plants.
According to him, “we need coal, biomass,
small hydros, solar even nuclear, if it is
designed it is the best as it remained the
cleanest and safest form of energy.”

He said as the nation aspires to be the hub
of technological know-how on the
continent, acquisition of nuclear technology
will make our people to mentor other
African countries.

The minister assured the visiting IAEC
delegation, that Nigeria will welcome
nuclear initiative because of its immense
contribution in the treatment of some
delicate anti human substances, which has
been tackled with nuclear medicine.

He said whatever Nigeria needs to do in
terms of acquisition of nuclear energy it
would be guided by the best international
practice, as we are aware that nuclear
energy deployment must be done in line
with strict rules of engagement.
Earlier, the leader of the IAEC, Mr. Kwanu
Aning while briefing the Minister said that
the regulatory role of the body is to ensure
that countries who are deploying nuclear
energy have the right technical staff, safety
of environment because nuclear power is a
complex energy source.
Energy is life, we support countries’ energy
efficiency programmes, we exchange idea
in order to strengthen our regulatory role.

The Minister of State, Mohammed Wakil was
also in attendance to receive the delegation.