Nigeria Is Committed To Pursue Efforts At Harnessing Nuclear Energy-Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to global fight against the threat of nuclear terrorism.Assuring that Nigeria under his leadership would do all that is possible in harnessing nuclear energy and technology for socio-economic development.

President Jonathant stated this at The Hague, Netherlands, during the third global security summit.
"While this is important, we would also like to draw attention to the need to maintain the highest standards of nuclear safety and security in establishing peaceful nuclear facilities," Jonathan stated. While addressing the gathering, the president restated Nigeria's commitment to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

"Nigeria accords high priority to all global efforts towards ending the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including nuclear weapons.

"To this end, Nigeria has since the last Summit in Seoul, South Korea, strengthened the legal framework for fighting terrorism through the adoption in 2013 of an amendment to its Terrorism (Prevention) Act, thus ensuring the implementation of more robust counter-terrorism measures in the country.

"Nigeria's ratification of some international treaties and conventions in the realm of nuclear safety, security and safeguards has necessitated the review of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority Act resulting in the recent decision of the government to submit a new bill to the parliament for consideration and passage into law in order to accommodate our obligations under these instruments.

"The instruments include the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and its amended version of 2005-the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. The intention of the bill is to ensure the fulfillment of Nigeria's international and national Nuclear safety, security, safeguards and radiation protection obligations, by domesticating the international treaties. The bill is presently awaiting passage by the National Assembly",the President said.