JIGAWA STATE GOVERNOR SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NNRA

JIGAWA STATE GOVERNOR SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NNRA

The Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) on 23rd November, 2021 at the NNRA Headquarters, Abuja. The Governor was received by members of the Management Team and other Staff of the Authority.

The purpose of the visit according to the Governor was firstly to partner with the NNRA in aspects of Soil Fertility Mapping which will involve examining the quality and type of soil and the appropriate fertilizer required to improve farming activities in Jigawa State. Achieving this will reduce wastages and mitigate food security issues in Jigawa State and Nigeria at large said Alhaji Mohammad Badaru.

Secondly, the visit aimed at leveraging on NNRA’s expertise in the area of Solid Mineral Profiling which involves identifying the location of the solid minerals in the State. Achieving this will speed up exploration processes, create wealth and positively impact the State GDP.

The DG/CEO in his remark briefed the Governor on NNRA’s overall functions which includes regulating equipment and materials that are capable of emitting ionizing radiation in Nigeria. He went further to explain the involvement of NNRA in diverse sectors of the economy which comprises; the Oil and Gas sector which covers about 70 percent of NNRA regulatory function, Health, in terms of radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and diagnostic (X-ray), the Manufacturing Sectors, Security and Customs, Mineral Mining, Construction, Research and Development–Research Reactor and GAMMA Irradiation in Zaria, among others.

Speaking further, Dr.Yau brought to the fore, other areas for possible collaboration which emanated from the activities of NNRA’s North-West Zonal Office Katsina. He advised the Governor on the need to establish a Radiotherapy Centre in Jigawa State, increase the number of Diagnostic Radiology, increase number of trained Radiation Safety Officers(RSAs)/Radiographers and to setup a Nuclear Medicine centre in the State.He further stated that Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) are mostly associated with glass and mining activities which is prevalent in Jigawa State, hence, the need to ascertain the percentage so as to ensure the protection of workers and the general public from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

It was agreed that proposals will be drafted and exchanged to address the issues mentioned and to also strengthen partnership between the State and the NNRA.