NNRA CONDUCTS EPR EXERCISE AT CERT, NiRR-1 FACILITY, ZARIA

NNRA CONDUCTS EPR EXERCISE AT CERT, NiRR-1 FACILITY, ZARIA

A team of Senior Inspectors from the NNRA Headquarters conducts a compliance inspection on EPR exercise conducted by the CERT, NiRR-1 facility on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, from 10:35 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.

The inspections aimed at witnessing, evaluating CERT’s EPR arrangements and performance, and also identifying both its strengths & weaknesses and lesson learned for improvement. The exercise was organized and conducted in fulfilment of the provisions of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act 19 of 1995, Nigerian Safety of Research Reactors Regulations 2021, CERT operating Licence Condition and part of CERT’s commitment to maintaining a strong safety and security culture, enhancing emergency preparedness, and ensuring compliance with national regulatory requirements and international nuclear safety standards.

The exercise simulated a radiological emergency involving the accidental spillage of a radioactive Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) sample along the laboratory linkway, resulting in a potential radiation exposure scenario. The drill tested the effectiveness of emergency response procedures, personnel vigilance, inter-agency coordination, evacuation protocols, contamination control, communication systems, and response timelines.

The exercise involved both internal and external emergency response teams, including personnel from CERT’s Health Physics and Radiation Biophysics Sections, the University Health Services (UHS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Sabon Gari Command, Zaria.

The exercise further demonstrated the importance of regular emergency drills in strengthening institutional readiness, improving coordination among emergency responders, and promoting continuous improvement in nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response.

The successful conduct of the exercise reflects CERT’s dedication to operational safety, radiation protection, environmental safety, and public confidence in the safe utilization of nuclear and radioactive materials in Nigeria.