The Federal Government and the Russia’s State Nuclear Energy Corporation have pledged to work together for the development of nuclear energy for peaceful developmental purposes.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG), Mr Boss Mustapha, who received Russian delegation on Tuesday in Abu in his office, said that Nigeria indeed was delighted to be a strategic partner of the Russian Federation in area of the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology.
“And to say that Nigeria is indeed delighted to be a strategic partner of the Russian Federation in this very important area of the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology.
“Within the framework of this partnership, Nigeria (through the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission) and the Russian Federation (through the Russia’s Nuclear Energy Corporation) have both signed three Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs).
“And also signed two broad based Project Development Agreements (PDAs) for cooperation on the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” Mustapha said.
Mustapha, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political/Economic Office, SGF office, Mr Andrew Adejo, said that the focus of the partnership, was principally aimed at addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges by harnessing nuclear technology.
He said that this was expected to be achieved through the diversification of Nigeria’s energy resource base to include nuclear.
He said, “Our plan as a nation, is to ensure that the deployment of nuclear science and technology is done in a safe, secure and sustainable manner and in line with global best practices.
“At this point, Nigeria would like to use this opportunity to express immense appreciation to the Russian Federation for the enormous support and assistance that the country has continued to receive through training.
“And also in area of capacity development of many Nigerians in different fields of nuclear science and technology over the years.”
On his part, Vice President of JSC ROSATOM, the Russian Federation, Mr. Anton Moskvin, commended the Federal Government for the “peaceful cooperation” with Russia.
According to him, their mission in Nigeria was to review the vision of nuclear development in Nigeria to serve multi purpose sector to include capacity building, agriculture and nuclear power among others.
“We see a very bright perspectives in our dialogue and to and for the development of the nuclear power program, peaceful program of Nigeria, ” he said.
He added that their major goal in Nigeria is to dialogue with Nigerian government to confirm the interest to develop nuclear infrastructure in Nigeria.
Earlier, Acting Chairman, National Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Mr. Yusuf Ahmed, said that Nigeria and Russia have had a bilateral agreement for many years to develop atomic energy.
He said, “The ROSATOM team are here to support us in the renewed vision of our implementing our different bilateral and multilateral agreements.”