NNRA RECEIVES AMBASSADOR DESIGNATE ABDULLAHI YIBAIKWAL ON A COURTESY VISIT

NNRA RECEIVES AMBASSADOR DESIGNATE ABDULLAHI YIBAIKWAL ON A COURTESY VISIT

Professor Abdullahi Yibaikwal Shehu, upon his appointment as the Nigerian Ambassador designate to Russia paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) on the 5^th of March, 2021 at the NNRA Headquarters.

The purpose of the visit, he stated was to enquire on the status of the bilateral agreement between the Authority and the Federal Environmental, Industrial and Nuclear Supervision Service of the Russian Federation (ROSTECHNADZOR) in the field of nuclear and radiation safety regulation for the peaceful uses of atomic energy and other related issues.

The Director General/CEO Dr. Yau Idris while responding, explained the mandates, responsibilities and activities of NNRA to the Ambassador and how it is applied in various sectors of the economy. He stated that Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) is the body responsible for promoting nuclear energy while the NNRA regulates its application in strict adherence to international best practices.

General Manager (GM) Nuclear Safety, Physical Security and Safeguards Department (NSPSS) added that the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) which was purely a research based centre has been upgraded to a multilateral purpose centre similar to a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The GM also cited the Authority’s pivotal role in the repatriation of some orphan sources from Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill which has prevented them from getting into the hands of unauthorized persons.

The meeting ended with the Ambassador Designate promising to facilitate the signing of the agreement between Nigeria and Russia when he resumes work at Moscow, Russia. It was also agreed that the GM NS come up with a brief on Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill which shall be sent to the Ambassador Designate.

The Ambassador Abdullahi commended the DG/CEO and the Management of the Authority for the giant strides undertaken by the Authority.