KOGI, A/IBOM PROPOSE TO HOST NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS

Kogi and Akwa Ibom states will host Nigeria's nuclear power reactors subject to the approval of the federal executive council, the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) has said.

Chairman of the commission, Dr Erepamo Osaisai, said it would submit the two locations for the siting of nuclear power reactors in the country soon to the Presidency.

The two locations are within Geregu and Ajaokuta local governments in Kogi State and Itu Local Government in Akwa Ibom.

Dr Osaisai made the disclosure in a lecture to the fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering in Sheda, Abuja. He said the preliminary sites' survey and evaluation project investigated a number of technical, environmental, security, social and economic issues.

Nigeria is planning to generate 1000mw of electricity through nuclear energy by 2020 and gradually increase it to 4000mw by 2030.

Osaisai told the engineers that very soon government approval would be sought for the commencement of detailed site investigation/characterisation on final two sites.

Currently, the country is battling with electricity generation challenges, producing an average of 3000MW.

He said the two sites were affirmed by the report of the recent Agency Expert Mission on siting in January, 2012.

He added that  it was expected that NAEC would apply for the licensing of the approved sites by the end of 2013.

He said a 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).