Nigeria to Develop Atomic Energy —President Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday in Abuja formally inaugurated Nigeria’s Atomic Energy Commission and charged its members to quickly evolve implementable plans and time-lines for the delivery of atomic energy for peaceful purposes in the country.

Addressing members of the commission headed by Dr. Erepamo Osaisai, President Jonathan said that generating power from atomic energy was very much part of the Federal Government’s long-term plans for ensuring steady power supply in the country.

The President said that his administration would therefore ensure that the commission receives adequate funding to carry out its task, within the limits of available resources.

“We all know the importance of atomic energy. We have plans to generate power from atomic energy and we must pursue it seriously. But we need a very capable commission to facilitate and regulate our development and use of atomic energy for peace applications.

“I am very pleased, therefore, to inaugurate your commission today. We expect you to come up with time-lines for the delivery of atomic energy to our people and we will give you the resources you need to work.

“We are very hopeful that with the high calibre and credentials of members of the commission, our expectations will be realized,” President Jonathan said.

The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission was established by Act 46 of 1976 as a specialized agency for the promotion and development of nuclear technology.

It was reactivated by the Obasanjo Administration in 2006 and its present membership was appointed by President Jonathan earlier this year.

The commission’s mandate is to develop the framework and technical pathway to explore, exploit and harness atomic energy for peaceful application in all its ramifications for the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

Responding to President Jonathan’s remarks, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr. Osaisai thanked him for appointing and formally inaugurating the commission, saying that it was an affirmation of the Jonathan Administration’s commitment to the development of atomic energy in Nigeria.

He pledged that members of the commission will work very hard to ensure that nuclear technology is developed in Nigeria and begins to contribute to national development.

Other members of the commission include Prof. Elijah Mshelia, Prof. Simon Mallam, Prof Mathew Agu, Dr. Imoh Obioh, Mr. Ibrahim S. Mohammed, Mr. Tele Ogunjobi and Ambassador Maria Laose of the Nigerian Embassy in Vienna.