Mines Ministry, NNRA Collaborate to Control radioactive Substance

Mines Ministry, NNRA Collaborate to Control Radioactive Substance

The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development is to work in collaboration with the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) towards controlling radioactive substance and related issues that might arise from mineral exploration in the country.

This was the outcome of the meeting when the Acting Director General/ CEO, Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), Dr.Yau Idris, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of State, Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari on 15th April, 2019, Abuja.

The Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu, thanked the Ag DG and his team for the visit.

The Permanent Secretary explained efforts of government towards repositioning the Nigerian Mining Sector as part of diversification of the economy with a view to creating jobs and generate revenue.

He, however, noted that mining activities culminate in generating ‘waste’ that must be safely handle to avoid its adverse consequence of the environment and human life. Conscious this, he said, the Ministry created Monitoring and Inspectorate Department to ensure control and that the environment is recovered when the mines are closed.

Dr.Mua’zu said the Ministry is willing to collaborate with Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority in tackling radioactive issues in the Mining sector.

Speaking earlier, the Acting Director General, Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), Dr. Yau Idris, said that the visit was to seek synergy with a view to addressing observed mineral exploration and mining of ores associated with the presence of radioactive substances.

He said that by law, NNRA is saddled with the responsibility for nuclear safety and radiation protection regulation in Nigeria.

Tony Ekpo
SIO
For: Director (Press)