NNRA AND IAEA CONDUCTS NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON TRANSPORT OF NUCLEAR AND RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS IN NIGERIA

NNRA AND IAEA CONDUCTS NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON TRANSPORT OF NUCLEAR AND RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS IN NIGERIA

The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is hosting a 4-day National Workshop for Response Force Personnel on Best Practices in Transport Security of Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material from 6th to 9th May 2024, at Rockview Hotel Royale, Abuja.

Dr. Yau Idris, the DG/CEO of NNRA in his speech, highlighted the susceptibility of nuclear and radioactive materials during transport, stressing the importance of robust security measures. He further noted that the aim of the workshop was to train response force personnel with best practices in transport security and to enhance participants’ knowledge, skills and awareness required to effectively plan and conduct transport response force operations.

Nigeria has taken steps to strengthening its nuclear security regime; in 2021, Nigeria established regulations for the protection of nuclear material during transport and is currently finalizing regulations for the security of radioactive material transport. This underscores the necessity for proper training, making this workshop crucial.

In his remarks, Mr. James Daniels Beardsley, the Lead IAEA Expert, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be in Nigeria a second time to share knowledge. He emphasized the workshop's continuity from the previous year and outlined various exercises to ensure participants' readiness. He expressed optimism for a successful training session with all stakeholders involved.

The workshop brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including government agencies such as the Office of National Security Adviser, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force,  Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Gamma Irradiation Facility, Centre for Energy Research and Training.