The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) has bolstered its collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure more rigorous adherence to nuclear safety and radiation protection regulations throughout the nation.
This initiative was announced by the Director-General of the NNRA, Yau Idris, during an engagement with journalists on the sidelines of a workshop in Abuja. The workshop, focusing on "Strengthening Regulatory Competence, Inspector Effectiveness, and Service Delivery Reforms," was organized by Halimasalam Nigeria Ltd. for NNRA personnel.
Dr. Idris highlighted that the NNRA's regulatory oversight extends to critical industries such as oil and gas, healthcare, education, construction, and mining, where radioactive materials are utilized or studied.
He noted that while the private sector generally demonstrates compliance with safety mandates, enforcing these regulations within public institutions, particularly government-run hospitals, presents ongoing challenges.
"Our primary hurdle lies in regulating government facilities, especially hospitals," Idris stated. "Achieving compliance in the public health sector has proven difficult, in contrast to the private sector, which is more commercially oriented and responsive to regulatory requirements."
He further revealed that the Federal Ministry of Health has granted the NNRA the authority to cease operations at any hospital found to be non-compliant with nuclear and radiation safety standards.
To tackle persistent non-compliance issues, Idris explained that the Authority has adopted a coordinated enforcement strategy involving the DSS, police bomb disposal units, and the Ministry of Health.
"We have already established engagement with the DSS and are working closely with the police to guarantee efficient enforcement," he remarked. "They are fully committed to supporting our efforts, and we have also initiated comprehensive training for our staff to elevate regulatory expertise."
The NNRA is also implementing a comprehensive capacity-building program featuring external specialists, with the agency signalling a firm stance against any future breaches of safety regulations.
"We maintain a zero-tolerance policy. Any entity found to be violating nuclear safety protocols will face decisive action," Idris cautioned.
He also urged NNRA staff to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and impartiality in their interactions with licence holders, emphasizing that the ultimate objective is the safeguarding of public health and safety.
Speaking at the same event, the Chief Executive Officer of Halimasalam Nigeria Ltd., Shakir Akorede, emphasized the indispensable role of regulatory bodies in protecting lives and the environment.
"Effective regulation is paramount, particularly in sensitive fields like nuclear technology, where any failures can lead to significant repercussions for public health and the ecosystem," Akorede commented.
He added, "We are actively seeking to secure a two-year EU grant for a nuclear safety cooperation project in Nigeria."
This article was originally reported by Linus Aleke from Abuja.
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