Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has reiterated the commitment of the government in diversifying its energy mix for improvement of electricity supply. According to the Minister, who spoke while receiving in audience the visiting Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr. Yukiya Amano, the mix will go beyond the traditional sources of gas, oil and Hydro to include nuclear and other renewable sources like solar, biomass and wind. In statement from the Director of Press, Mr. Timothy Oyedeji, the Minister commended the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission and its team of experts for the research works and human capacity building effort in this specialized field.
Also, he urged the Commission to leave no stone unturned in letting Nigerians know that nuclear energy is for peace, hence it could be used for developmental purposes in engineering, medicine, environmental protection, security, agriculture and food security.
Fashola challenged Atomic Energy experts to do more in the area of public enlightenment as many Nigerians have limited knowledge about the use of nuclear technology for power. “You must begin to break down the seeming complex issues around nuclear power into simple terms and language that our people can understand.
We must try to demystify issues around nuclear power in Nigeria”, he said, adding that the nation cannot afford to be left behind in the acquisition of appropriate nuclear technologies.
