Nigeria to explore nuclear science for development - VP

Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has stated that Nigeria is venturing into the development of nuclear science in the country for rapid socio-economic development.


He said this at the State House, Abuja when he received the visiting Deputy Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Kweku Aning on a courtesy call.

The Vice President noted that the importance of the nuclear energy could not be overemphasized as Nigeria is developing her nuclear science. Adding, with a vast population, there is need to develop the country's nuclear science for optimal utilization, growth and development in all the sectors of the economy.

Speaking earlier, Kweku Aning briefed on the areas of cooperation between IAEA and the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission, saying the nuclear energy is important in the saving of life and giving of support to credible performance in all the sectors. He added that they were in cooperation with the Nigerian health sector as most people believe that HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis have been the greatest health challenges in developing countries.

He further explained that cancer which is a complicated disease is expensive to diagnose and is said to claim about 4.8 million people annually compared to HIV/AIDS which has 2.1million, malaria with 700,000 and tuberculosis with 900,000. He also observed that the normal standard for the diagnostic facility is one for 500,000 people and that everyone involved in this specialized technology - the doctors, nurses and other support staff must be specially trained.

Other areas he elaborated on were the areas of cooperation such as food and agriculture. He identified which technology could develop species that were resistant to certain pests as well as the use of radiation to extend or preserve the lifespan of food products.

On nuclear power, he stated that Nigeria has energy deficit which needs to be filled up, indicating that he is working with his colleagues in the Atomic Energy Commission to provide the enabling environment for protection in emergencies. He added that they were working together on the technology that would determine the magnitude of water resources on the ground weather, fossil or replenished water.

Present at the meeting were: Erepamo Asaisai (Dr), Mathew Agu (Prof), Bello Abdul Gamawa and Bakori Idris all of the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC). Others were: Musugeta Amha of IAEA and Abimbola Raji, who is a Counselor with the Nigerian Embassy Mission in Vienna, Austria.