The Legacy of Seoul: Nuclear Security Summit

Abstract

The Legacy of Seoul: Nuclear Security Summit Nuclear Security is the prevention and detection of and response to theft, sabotage, unauthorized access, illegal transfer or other malicious acts involving nuclear or other radioactive substances or their associated facilities. Nuclear security measures are the most effective means to prevent terrorists, criminals, or other unauthorized actors from acquiring nuclear materials. Terrorists could obtain the know how needed for making a nuclear weapon and steal a highly enriched uranium or plutonium to make a dirty bomb.

The seminar discussed the achievements since 2010 Washington summit which is Nigeria’s commitment to global nuclear security extends her willingness to encourage other African countries to participate at the South Korea Summit as this would strengthen international efforts in Nuclear Security, Safeguards, Export Control of Radioactive Materials and Border Security. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) donated a Radiation Portal Monitor (RPM) to Nigeria in April 2009, and was installed at the MMIA Export Terminal for detection of radioactive sources and prevention of illicit trafficking in nuclear material and radioactive sources. The equipment has since been commissioned and put into operation.

Reason for Seoul Nuclear Security Summit are: To built on the understanding and commitments of theForty Seven countries that participated in the 2010 Washington summit; To secure nuclear materials against loss, theft, and misuse; To protect nuclear materials against loss or theft during transport and use; To protect sensitive information vital to the defense of nuclear installations and materials, against theft and cyber attacks; and To develop low enrich uranium (LEU) fuel for highly-powered reactors around the world, which if successful, reactors will not need uranium enrichment to nuclear weapons grade.

The objective of the summit is to enhance cooperative measures to combat nuclear terrorism, to encourage protection of nuclear materials and other related facilities and to prevent illicit trafficking. Terrorists might smuggle a nuclear weapon across our lightly –guarded stretches of borders, thus the need to install monitoring equipment on the borders is paramount and development of regulatory framework to promote Physical Protection of Nuclear Material as Nigeria is considering to built Nuclear Power Plant.

The seminar recommends that Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) should intensify on regulatory frameworks to ensure the effective prosecution of certainty of punishment for terrorists and those who facilitate such acts. NNRA should improve on accounting, control, and physical protection of nuclear material and radioactive substance as well as security of nuclear facilities. The Government should monitor and suppress illicit trafficking or other illicit activities involving such materials, especially measures to prevent their acquisition and use by terrorist.

Seminar presented by Ayawei Nathaniel A.