By Chinyere Amalu

ABUJA—The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria has scored Nigeria high in nuclear safety preparedness, saying it has taken consciously all the necessary steps required to ensure nuclear safety and radiation applications.

The IAEA Regulatory oversight and quality management Unit, Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety, Mr. Stephen Anthony gave this pass mark to Nigerian Government yesterday in Abuja at the IAEA Regional training course on self-assessment of National Regulatory Infrastructure for Safety in collaboration with Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA).

According to Mr. Anthony, in Nigeria, radiation in hospital and factories are ready, adding that the country has good regulatory body on nuclear and has maintained International standard according to IAEA guidelines.

“When it comes to nuclear safety, there is no shortcut regulatory, and Nigeria has done very well even in other African countries, because it provides expertise to them. Nigerian government has done much, but more need to be done in order to meet the 2010 deadline requirement in nuclear safety. In radiation safety Nigeria is very attentive to the regulatory of IAEA”, said the IAEA Boss.

In his address, the Director General of NNRA, Professor Shamshideen Elegba, said there is need to establish legislation that will ensure protection of regulatory infrastructure with clear designation and empowerment of national regulatory authority.

“It also requires the establishment of a national regulatory inspection, authorization, and control of radiation sources including the inventory of radiation sources including the inventory of radiation sources and installation”, he added.