The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) has commenced a Nuclear Security Awareness Training for essential officials to strengthen the nation’s capability to forestall illicit trafficking of nuclear and different radioactive supplies.
Declaring the training open on the Airport Hotel, Abuja, on Monday, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the NNRA, Dr Yau Usman Idris, stated nuclear security is a essential part of nationwide security that requires sustained vigilance and inter-agency cooperation.
Dr Idris stated the NNRA was established by the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act No. 19 of 1995 with the mandate to allow Nigeria to satisfy its nationwide and worldwide security and security obligations within the software of nuclear vitality and ionising radiation.
He famous that whereas nuclear know-how affords important advantages in healthcare, agriculture, analysis, business and vitality, the supplies should be correctly protected in opposition to theft, unauthorised entry and sabotage.
“Any compromise of their security may have critical penalties for public security, nationwide security, the setting, and the financial system,” he stated.
The DG described frontline officers at airports, seaports and border crossings as the primary line of defence, including that their means to recognise indicators of illicit trafficking and provoke an acceptable response may make a essential distinction in stopping security incidents.
“Basic nuclear security data is just not merely an extra skilled qualification; it’s a necessary ingredient of preparedness for officers entrusted with defending lives, essential infrastructure and nationwide pursuits,” he stated.
He urged individuals to concentrate to radiation fundamentals, menace evaluation, detection strategies, identification of suspicious circumstances and procedures for reporting and responding to incidents.
Dr Idris pressured that no single company can handle nuclear security threats in isolation, calling for well timed information-sharing, clear communication and coordinated motion amongst stakeholders.
He charged individuals to take the training severely and to translate the data gained into sensible enhancements of their every day duties, whereas additionally passing it right down to colleagues of their respective organisations.
The DG stated the NNRA stays dedicated to constructing a reliable and vigilant workforce able to defending nuclear and different radioactive supplies in opposition to malicious acts and making certain their use for peaceable and legit functions.
Participants on the training embody officers of aviation security, Customs and different frontline companies working on the airport.
