Development of Regulatory Framework for the Nuclear Power Programme

Abstract

DEVELOPMENT OF REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAMME The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) was established in 2001 by the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act, No19 of 1995 and was charged with the responsibility of nuclear safety and radiological protection. Consequently, upon its establishment, all things relating to radiation became its primary concern. Ensuring the best safety and security practices for nuclear installations, radioactive sources, safeguard of nuclear materials and members of the public who are likely to come in contact with radiation. The Act provides specifically the following functions for the NNRA; (i) To regulate the possession and application of radioactive substances and devices emitting ionizing radiation. (ii) Ensuring protection of life, health, property and the environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation while allowing beneficial practices involving exposure to ionizing radiation. (iii) Regulating the safe promotion of nuclear research and development and the application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. (iv) Performing all necessary functions to enable Nigeria meet its national and international safeguards and safety obligation in the application of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation. (v) Advising the Federal Government on nuclear security, safety and radiation protection matters; and Liaising with and fostering cooperation with international and other organizations or bodies concerned having similar objectives. It also has the power to establish appropriate register for each category of sources or practices involving ionizing radiation, license operators of practices and also issue codes of practices which shall be binding on all users of radioactive and prescribed substances and of source of ionizing radiation. In addition to this, the NNRA is mandated to ensure compliance by Setting and documenting clear requirements, using a process that includes consultation, cooperating with other organizations and jurisdictions to foster the development of consistent regulatory requirements and indicating acceptable ways to meet regulatory requirements which it has done its best to fulfil via a system of regulating, licensing, and inspection of nuclear sources and sites hinged on the five pillars of its regulatory control program which are Regulations, Guidance, Authorization, Oversight Functions ,Ancillary Functions and Emergency Planning and Response. So far the NNRA has completed a good number of regulations like the Nigerian Regulation Safety in Industrial Radiography Regulations, 2006 and Nigerian Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources Regulations, 2006. Its regulatory activities have also been taken a step further following the commissioning and operation of Nigeria’s first Nuclear Research Reactor - the Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) in September 2004. In 2005, Nigeria made known its commitment to the development of nuclear technology for electricity generation purposes, thereby increasing the responsibilities of the NNRA in view of the nascent national Nuclear Power Programme (NPP),to this end the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act has been reviewed and a Draft Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards Bill (Bill) developed. The Bill is now before the National Assembly for enactment into law. The Authority has also signed various Memorandum of Understanding with different bodies in addition to engaging its staff in manpower training and short service courses within and outside Nigeria, so as to ensure the feasibility of the nuclear power programme.

Adamu Abdul