Senate moves to repeal, reenact law seeking to harness atomic energy

The senate is seeking to repeal and reenact the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission law to enable the country to enhance sustainable national development.

Speaking at the opening of a public hearing by the senate committee on science and technology, Uche Ekwunife, a senator, said the bill would aid the robust implementation of the national nuclear programme in line with acceptable international standards.

Ekwunife, who is the chairperson of the committee, said the bill would establish the Nigerian Nuclear Waste Management Company to manage issues relating to radioactive wastes.

“The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission Act was enacted 46 years ago in 1976,” the lawmaker said.

“Since then, there were no legislative steps taken to improve the commission in line with the realities of global dynamics. This bill, therefore, seeks to repeal the Atomic Energy Commission Act (CAP N91) laws of the federation to streamline its provisions.

“It is imperative to note that the repeal of this act does not in any way intend for negative use of nuclear power such as armament, but mainly for peaceful purposes in the area of nuclear power, medical diagnoses, and others.”

However, Ekwunife said the bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Content in Programmes, Contracts, Science, Engineering, Technology, and Innovation (NOPCESTI) will promote local content.

“This bill, further aimed at harnessing domestic talents and the development of indigenous capacity in science, technology, and innovation for the promotion and technological innovation needed to drive national competitiveness, productivity, and economic activities which will invariably enhance the achievement of the nation’s development goal, across all sectors of the economy,” she said.

“I, therefore, urge everyone present for your contribution and submission on the two bills to ensure that we have a popular participation in this process of law-making.”

On his part, Festus Osifo, president of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), said the committee should ensure that there is no duplication of functions.

“I suggest to the committee that it looks into the whole governance aspect in the nuclear regulatory space to be able to streamline the functions such that we will not have overlapping functions,” Osifo represented by Owan Abua said.