Nigeria, Russia okay pact to build nuclear plants in Kogi, Akwa Ibom

Nigeria and Russia have signed a project development agreement (PDA) to construct two nuclear power plants in Nigeria.

Nigeria has picked Itu in Akwa Ibom State, and Geregu in Kogi State as sites for the proposed nuclear power plants.

Speaking yesterday at a joint coordination committee meeting for the implementation of the Nigeria-Russia Agreement on Peaceful Application of Nuclear Energy, Director General, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Dr. Franklin Erepamo Osaisai said a PDA had been signed between the two countries.

He explained that the agreement gives key elements of responsibilities on both sides to ensure they move on to sign the formal contract for building the plants.

According to Osaisai, other steps being taken after identifying the sites include the financial side, and the technology elements.

He added that the three pacts signed in 2012 with Russia was the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes; the construction of nuclear power plants; and the building of a multipurpose nuclear reactor centre to strengthen nuclear technology education in Nigeria.

The NAEC DG said: “This is the second meeting of the committee. There are five technical working groups (WG) handling specific areas of the agreements. They include the one on human resources development, the nuclear infrastructure, siting of nuclear power plants, financing and another on the legislative and regulatory framework.”

The Head of the Russian delegation, Dr. Kirill Komarov said his country was expanding scholarship access to Nigerian young people to improve their knowledge about the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Komarov commended Nigeria and the agency for the huge work done so far in preparation for the construction of the nuclear power project (NPP).