Mines Ministry, NNRA Collaborate
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)