Nigeria Ready To Commence Production Of Nuclear Energy – Fashola

According to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Federal Government on Wednesday, said Nigeria was ready to commence the production of nuclear energy.

Fashola made this known at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja, while saying Nigeria had secured the necessary certification from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“This thing has protocols and standards; we are already in it; we are not venturing into it; we started a nuclear programme 17 years ago. We have gone through the training level; we have produced 25 graduates of master’s level under certification by the International Atomic Energy Agency”

“We have found the sites; the sites have been approved, two sites have been approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency. We have started the design for the financing; that is the stage we are now; once we conclude that, we move to the design for the construction. If all things go well, by quarter four of next year – that is the schedule that I met – we should have started construction, so that is what I met” said Fashola.

The minister further said that diversifying the nation’s energy mix would lead to the utilization of the various forms of renewable energy sources in the country. This, according to him, will ultimately make electricity cheapest in the country.

“What we are thinking about is a long-term solution. We need a solution that will endure for generations to come.

He said the ministry and other agencies under his supervision were working hard to ensure that Nigeria obtained the best in the electricity industry through strict regulatory responsibilities. At the monthly meeting with stakeholders in the industry, Fashola said it was designed to evolve better ways of managing the industry, adding that it was yielding the desired results.

(Source: VANGUARD)