Posted by By Ihuoma Chiedozie, Abuja on
The Federal Government, on Monday, called on the international community to support Nigeria's bid to acquire nuclear technology for electricity generation.....
The Federal Government, on Monday, called on the international community to support Nigeria's bid to acquire nuclear technology for electricity generation.
President Olusegun Obasanjo made the appeal in Abuja while inaugurating the board of the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission, of which he is the Chairman.
He said, 'Acquisition of nuclear technology is a sensitive and delicate issue, as such, it requires cooperation and support from the international community."
Against the backdrop of serious doubts over the intentions of some countries seeking to acquire the technology, Obasanjo pledged that Nigeria's intentions were friendly.
He said, 'I wish to further affirm that Nigeria's aspirations for the acquisition of nuclear technology are for purely peaceful applications and that we are unequivocally committed to the nuclear non proliferation treaty.
'It is important to emphasise here that while adhering to the spirit and letter of the Pelindaba treaty, which declares the continent of Africa as a nuclear weapons free zone, we shall position our country to derive maximum benefits from the proper application of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
'As we have observed over the years, the acquisition and use of nuclear technology is a pivotal element in any nation's path towards the attainment of scientific and technological maturity. This is because its uses are multifarious and its technology base multidisciplinary.
'In addition to the generation of electricity, nuclear energy finds ready peaceful applications in agriculture and food security, medicine, industry, and in basic and applied scientific research."
However, the President said the Federal Government was interested in positioning the country to benefit from the technology's potentials for power generation.