President Muhammed Buhari says he welcomes the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency for Nigeria’s aspiration to generate electricity using nuclear energy.
Speaking in company of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and a number of Ministers while receiving Yukiya Amano, the Director-General of the IAEA, the President said he was happy that the organization was developing a programme from which Nigeria will benefit.
In his address, Amano said he was pleased to see that Nigeria was taking the correct steps, so far, toward a safe usage of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
The Ministers of Power, Solid Minerals, Health, Science and Technology, who briefed the meeting, said preparatory steps taken so far included the training of doctors and other medical specialists to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, the establishment of specialist medical centres and the procurement of necessary equipment aimed at protecting the health of the citizens.
Nigeria, said the Ministers, is aspiring to start a programme in the coming years that will give this country 1,000 megawatts of electricity in the first instance, to be increased to 4,000 megawatts thereafter.
President Buhari charged the IAEA to do more to support Nigeria in view of the long years of its association and support for the nuclear regulatory agency.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
