NNRA MEETS WITH NCS OFFICIALS

NNRA MEETS WITH NCS OFFICIALS

The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) held a meeting with Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in the Authority’s National Nuclear Security Coordination Centre Training Room (NNSCC) on 23^rd May, 2023, in Abuja.

The meeting was at the instance of the NNRA on the need to include nuclear security modules in the curriculum of NCS training institutions. This is to complement the competence of NCS personnel in controlling the illicit import and export of nuclear and other radioactive materials into and out of the country.

Declaring the meeting open, representative of the DG/CEO, Mr. Adamu Abdul, Coordinator, National Nuclear Security Coordination Centre, (NNSCC) stated that the centre was established to develop a sustainable and effective human resource capacity in nuclear security as well as an effective technical and scientific support service to manage and maintain equipment for prevention, detection of and response to nuclear security events amongst others. He said the meeting was organized as a follow up on the previous one held between the NNRA and NCS on 15^th March, 2022 where the need to train NCS officials on nuclear security was birthed.

He added that NNRA through NNSCC desires to collaborate with the organization to introduce nuclear security modules at NCS training institutions to ensure that all new recruits’ or old officers undergo basic nuclear security trainings. He affirmed that the training will expose the officers to the use of appropriate radiation detection equipment such as portal monitors, radiation survey meters and other relevant equipment to support the effective monitoring of the country’s points of entry/exit. The module will also include insider threat mitigation.

The Team Lead, from NCS, Comptroller M.M Tilley Gyado, appreciated NNRA for inviting the institution to such a timely meeting as NCS is working towards introducing Nuclear Security in their curriculum to drastically reduce the illicit movement of radioactive materials in order to curb the unfortunate massive destruction of lives. She said that NCS is delighted and ready to collaborate with NNRA as part of their aim and objective remains working hand in hand with their counterparts. She promised to present the report of the meeting to the Comptroller General of Customs for prompt implementation.

The Nigeria Customs Service officials were taken round on a tour to the various NNSCC laboratories namely, Physical Protection Systems Laboratory, Radiation Detection Equipment Laboratory and Computer Laboratory.