UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY - NNSA OFFICE OF RADIOLOGICAL SECURITY (ORS) SEARCH AND SECURE PROGRAM – VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTATION REPAIR SESSION

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY - NNSA OFFICE OF RADIOLOGICAL SECURITY (ORS) SEARCH AND SECURE PROGRAM – VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTATION REPAIR SESSION

The United States Department of Energy (USDOE) National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Radiological Security and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority have a long history of collaboration in the area of Nuclear Security ranging from advisory services, physical protection system upgrade, capacity building, and equipment donation among others. As part of its collaborative activities, the USDOE donated some radiation detection equipment in 2008 and these have been a great resource Nigeria has used for national Search and Secure exercises for nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control (MORC).

To ensure sustainability with regards to the functionality of these equipment, the United States Department of Energy (USDOE) Office of Radiological Security (ORS) through the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and OakRidge National Laboratory (ONL) hosted the virtual Repair Session on Search and Secure (S&S) Equipment with the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) on 7^th July 2021.

The purpose of the training was to ascertain the status and functionality of the radiation detection equipment donated to NNRA for possible repairs and replacement. It was also to familiarize the NNRA Officers on how to conduct preventive maintenance of radiation detection equipment for maximum efficiency.

Fifteen (15) participants from the NNRA Headquarters, Nuclear Security Center, National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research (NIRPR), South-South and South-West Zonal Offices and Borno Operational Office participated in the virtual training course.

The training course was very impactful as the participants were able to learn some basic troubleshooting, handling and maintenance techniques for radiation detection equipment.