The Federal Government is working towards generating 4,000 megawatts of electricity from nuclear energy.
The plan is to start a programme in the coming years that will give the country 1,000MW in the first instance, which will be increased to 4,000MW thereafter.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, this was disclosed during a meeting that President Muhammadu Buhari had with the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr. Yukiya Amano, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Shehu said the ministers who spoke at the meeting gave updates on the country’s presentation for the utilisation of nuclear energy.
The SSA said in the statement, “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 1,000MW of electricity in the first instance, to be increased to 4,000MW thereafter.”
He quoted the President as welcoming the support of the IAEA for Nigeria’s aspiration to generate electricity from nuclear energy.
Buhari said he was happy that the organisation was developing a programme from which Nigeria would benefit.
He urged the IAEA to do more to support Nigeria in view of the long years of its association and support for the nuclear regulatory agency.
Amano said he was pleased to see that Nigeria was taking the correct steps towards a safe usage of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
END
Be the first to comment