Abuja – The Federal Government on Tuesday said it would partner with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on peaceful uses of nuclear technology for a sustainable future.
Dr Ogbonanya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology, said this when he received a team led by Mr Yukiya Amano, the Director -General of IAEA in Abuja.
He listed the areas of “Peaceful Uses Initiative“ of IAEA to include: food security and agriculture; water resources and marine environment; human health and nutrition; and animal health and production, among others.
The minister said such collaboration was imperative for Nigeria to cope with its increasing population.
“ Food safety is a global concern for public health and international trade.
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“Since the price of our oil price has started falling, we need to embrace the technology that will boost our agriculture produce to diversify our economy’’, he said.
The Director-General, Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Mr Franklin Osaisai, said the partnership would streamline, harmonise, promote and coordinate research and development for capacity building and infrastructure development.
It said the NAEC would also fast-track and catalyse the process of development and deployment of nuclear power plants for electricity generation in Nigeria.
“NAEC is a specialised agency for the promotion and development of nuclear technology.
“ It has the mandate 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’’, he said.
He said the agency would assist Nigeria in application of nuclear energy to enhance food security and agriculture; water resources and marine environment; human health and electricity among others. (NAN)
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