Nuclear Power Plant Site

Again FG picks Geregu, Itu as 2,400mw nuclear power sites.June 17, Daily Trust, 2015

 We were told in Oct. 2010 that four sites were picked and these are the highlights;

•  that the draft law for the implementation of the national nuclear power programme has been developed, and has been subjected to detailed scrutiny by all major stakeholders with technical input of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA.

• that following site survey and site evaluation exercises embarked upon by the Commission, four sites had been designated for further detailed characterization and recommendation to government.

• the sites are located in areas around Geregu/Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State in the North Central zone; Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State in the South-South zone; Agbaje, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State in the South West zone; and Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State in the North East zone."

• that construction work on the nuclear power plants, NPPs, would commence between 2013 and 2014 with 'first reinforced concrete', while start of 'first hot trial run' would begin in 2017, with 2019 set for possible commissioning and handover of the power plants. Hmmmmmmm!! GREAT.

•  that a roadmap, tagged the 'Technical Framework for the Deployment of Nuclear Power Plants for Electricity Generation in Nigeria' and its 'Strategic Implementation Plan' had been developed and approved by the Federal Government for implementation. .

Two days ago,  June 17, Daily Trust reported that the NAEC said the part of its progress is the concluded preliminary site selection activities......

Nigerians are we ready? This is a great plan to better the life and economy of our great Nation. The technical and legal framework is well outlined. Wonderful plan for our great Nation.

From Oct 2010 to June 2015, What has an average Nigerian got to say about nuclear power plant. In 2010 Atomic energy experts called for a setting up of a Nuclear Academy in the country in order to effectively achieve the set objectives of the National Nuclear Power Programme.

In 2008 Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) said that the Federal Government has in 2007 accede to several IAEA conventions in order to fulfill its political commitments to use nuclear energy for the generation of electricity.

Nigeria at the same time ratified the additional protocol to the Nuclear Non-proliferation treaty. Nigeria does not have a nuclear power programme, but has a robust and rapidly peaceful applications. But there are still challenges.

These include adequately trained manpower for licensing of design and construction of the plant and associated civil works and infrastructure and finally licensing the commissioning, operation and decommissioning of such nuclear plant facilities.

NNRA pointed out that there are dozens of nuclear research reactor and neutron generators in Nigeria but lacked knowledge in the application of radioactive sources.

From 2008, 2010 that these observations were made and published what has Nigerians and the appropriate authorities said about the challenges to tell an average Nigerian that Nuclear Power Plant is save to be at the ‘back of our yard’ like a garden. Off course, legal plans, technical plans may be going on in all the agencies and authorities involved. But an average Nigerian need to be informed.

Nigerians are we prepared

Considering the serious weakness in internal security of our country, lack of continuity in government, poor maintenance culture, and inadequate training of manpower, lack of nuclear physicists makes the proposal more dangerous.

The emergency and quick response to 2002 Ikeja military cantonment, recent insecurity in the country should be a warning example of how prepared we are to accept operation of nuclear power plant which a minor leakage or malfunctioning at any point could be dangerous and massive death for a community or the region

Twenty Six years ago in Goiania, Brazil two people entered a premises where a cesium-137 teletherapy unit was abandoned, not knowing what it was, but a scrap value, took it home to dismantle. That was long time ago, such countries had gone ahead of us to create awareness and get their citizens informed. The scavengers (dustbin, or baban-bola) how informed are they. Recently, the bomb that exploded at Monguno town on Thursay, June 18 2015 was an abandoned bombs by Boko Haram. Innocently and ignorantly, a vigilante took it home.....  

So, what do you think? What I think !!          

• Nuclear Academy in the country in order to effectively achieve the set objectives for the National Nuclear Power Programm.

• With this ambition and growing demand for radioactive sources let there be tighter regulatory measures in order to avoid radiological mishaps in and around the country.

• Go the media, run jiggles, create newsletters, magazines, pamphlets, tell who care to listen the benefits of nuclear energy.

• Train more Nigeria Engineers, nuclear physicists etc, make nuclear industry competence attractive.Send Regulators to the field, sensitize the 'Baban-bolas' in local languages to be conscious of what they pick and take home.
• Let the state and its environs that this plant will be build understand the benefit and embrace it for safety, peace and collaboration. (Consult the traditional rulers, chiefs, elders and the youth)