NNRA AND NAEC IN COLLABORATION WITH IAEA HOSTED THE SITE AND EXTERNAL EVENTS DESIGN (SEED) WORKSHOP ON SITE EVALUATION REVIEW FOR NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS REGARDING GEOGRAPHY, DEMOGRAPHY AND HUMAN-INDUCED EVENTS

NNRA AND NAEC IN COLLABORATION WITH IAEA HOSTED THE SITE AND EXTERNAL EVENTS DESIGN (SEED) WORKSHOP ON SITE EVALUATION REVIEW FOR NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS REGARDING GEOGRAPHY, DEMOGRAPHY AND HUMAN-INDUCED EVENTS

The Site and External Events Design (SEED) Workshop on Site Evaluation Review for Nuclear Installations, with a focus on Geography, Demography, and Human-Induced Events, took place in Abuja from July 22-26, 2024. It was organized by the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) and the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The workshop aimed to enhance Nigeria's capacity and understanding in site evaluation, particularly in the safety review of Safety Analysis Reports for nuclear installations, with an emphasis on geography, demography, and human-induced events.

The Director General and CEO of NNRA, Dr. Yau Idris in his opening remarks highlighted the significance of the workshop as a major step in the NNRA's efforts to ensure the safe application of nuclear technology in Nigeria. He emphasized that nuclear technology is crucial for the country's socio-economic development, necessitating rigorous and effective regulatory practices. He pointed out that one of the NNRA's key regulatory duties is the review and assessment of site applications for nuclear installations, making this workshop particularly important.

Dr. Yau further explained that site evaluation is a critical phase in the lifecycle of a nuclear installation and it involves examining essential factors such as geographical characteristics, population distribution, and potential human-induced events to ensure that safety measures are robust and risks are mitigated. He stressed that this process would foster public confidence in Nigeria’s nuclear power program and ensure adherence to the highest safety standards.

He expressed gratitude to the IAEA and NAEC for their ongoing support and collaboration, emphasizing the importance of safely harnessing nuclear technology. He reaffirmed the NNRA's dedication to maintaining high standards of nuclear safety to protect both the public and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

IAEA lead expert Mr. Hyun Woo Lee praised the NNRA and Nigeria for adhering to IAEA safety standards regarding site selection and evaluation for nuclear installations. He noted that this workshop was the final one in a series of three SEED workshops under the IAEA Integrated Work Plan (IWP).

Mr. Hyun stated that the workshop was designed to help Nigeria identify and address all potential risks related to geography, demography, and human-induced events during the site evaluation process. He acknowledged the achievements and progress made by the NNRA and NAEC in promoting nuclear safety and assured continued IAEA support in building confidence within the international community and among the public in Nigeria's nuclear safety strategy.

The workshop featured experts from the IAEA, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Korea, and the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), with participants from the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMeT), National Population Commission, NAEC, and NNRA. Also, Certificates were handed to the Participants.