The Federal Government, in partnership with the Federation of Russia, is set to kick off its nuclear programme in order to address the country’s socioeconomic challenges through harnessing nuclear technology for peaceful use.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made the disclosure when the delegation from JSC RUSATOM led by its Vice President, Mr. Anton Moskvin paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
The SGF, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Andrew David Adejo, said that the three (3) Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) and two (2) broad based Project Development Agreements (PDAs) signed between Nigeria and Russia on National Nuclear Energy Programme will help to fast track the socioeconomic development of the country. In his word:
“Nigeria is indeed delighted to be a strategic partner of the Russian Federation in this very important area of the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology. Within the framework of this partnership, Nigeria (through the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission) and the Russian Federation (through the Russia’s Nuclear Energy Corporation) have both signed three (3) Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) and two (2) broad based Project Development Agreements (PDAs) for cooperation on the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.”
He said that the federal government is committed in ensuring that the deployment of nuclear science and technology is done in a safe, secure and sustainable manner and in line with global best practices.
He commended the efforts of RUSATOM in sustaining the engagement with Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) through different channels focused on ensuring the meticulous implementation of the various elements of the different broad based agreements that have been signed.
He also used the opportunity to thank the Russian Federation for the enormous support and assistance Nigeria has been benefiting through training and capacity development in different fields of nuclear science and technology over the years. He added that the cooperation between Nigeria and the Federation of Russia has so far yielded positive results as some Nigerians are been trained in the nuclear project.
In his remarks, the Ag. Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Professor Yusuf Aminu Ahmed said the nuclear development program between Nigeria and the Federation of Russia, which is in the implementation stage, would improve the nation’s infrastructural development and its capacity development.
Speaking earlier, the Vice President JSC RUSATOM, Mr. Anton Moskvin said the essence of their visit was a follow-up to the earlier agreements signed between the two countries so as to kick start the nuclear development program.
The Russia’s State-owned Nuclear Corporation (RUSATOM) was established in 2011 in order to promote Russian nuclear technologies in the world market.
Willie Bassey
Director (Information)
