Agency to enforce safety rules on radioactive equipment
OIL companies and hospitals defaulting in safety and security standards in the use of radioactive substances and equipment may soon be unmasked.
The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) is planning a nationwide inspection of such outfits to ensure that they comply with local and international standards on the use of dangerous substance and tools.
NNRA's Director-General Sahmsideen Elegba, said in Abuja yesterday that the inspection would enable the agency to keep tabs on the level of radiation control in Nigeria.
"We have more than 4,000 X-ray machines and other radioactive equipment in hospitals across the country and some of them are harmful and in obsolete state need to be discarded," Elegba said.
"The main objective of the inspection is to also assess the security needs with regard to radioactive activities in the hospitals and to develop a plan of action for the overall improvement of radioactive and nuclear security in Nigeria," the DG added.
He observed that most of the radioactive materials emit harmful radiation, which needs to be controlled and protected against adverse effects on hospital workers and patients.
The director-general said that at the conclusion of the exercise, the agency would compile a compendium of radioactive materials in used hospitals to facilitate compliance with safety and security standards.
According to him, "we will also develop a work plan for providing and co-ordinating safety and security against illegal use of radioactive and nuclear materials in the country".
The nuclear watchdog chief called on users in the Niger Delta to handle radioactive materials in conformity with international laws guiding the use and protection of nuclear-related items and activities.
He said that the Federal Government had put in place the necessary regulatory mechanism to ensure proper use of radioactive and nuclear materials in the nation.
Elegba further said that government had taken steps to effectively control the importation and disposal of radioactive materials.
Nigeria, he explained, had complied with international regulations on the security and safety of radioactive and nuclear sources.
Officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had visited Nigeria in May this year to inspect radioactive sites.
