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[en] Regulatory Framework for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection International Instruments: Conventions; Safety Fundamentals; Codes of Conduct; Safety Requirements and Guide, and National Instruments:-Legislation; Regulations; Guidance Documents. The Sustainable Development Principle recognizes a duty to prevent undue burden and degradation of the environment for future generations. The prime responsibility for safety must rest with the person or organization responsible for facilities…that give rise to radiation risks” (IAEA Safety Fundamentals – SF-1). Compliance with regulations and requirements imposed by the Regulatory Body shall not relieve the organization of its prime responsibility for safety. The regulatory body shall establish and implement appropriate arrangements for a systematic approach to quality management which extend throughout the range of responsibilities and functions undertaken.”. The IAEA self-assessment model for a Regulatory Body is based on a three tier approach. This model is modular and can be used and adopted for implementation by any regulator at any stage of maturity “Start up”, “On the way”, “Mature” Small, medium size, big. The IAEA is required by its Statute to promote international cooperation while regulating safety is a national responsibility. However, radiation risks may transcend national borders and international cooperation that serves to promote and enhance safety globally by exchanging experience and by improving capabilities to control hazards, to prevent accidents, to respond to emergencies and to mitigate any harmful consequences

[en] The acts establishing the NNRA charged it with the responsibility for nuclear safety and radiological protection regulation in Nigeria and to ensure protection of life, health, property and environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation, regulate the safe promotion of nuclear research and development , and the application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. This paper discussed the establishment of a programme to control the effectiveness of the execution of the site investigations and assessments and engineering activities performed in the different stages of site evaluation for the nuclear power plants

[en] Uses of Radiation Sources in Africa has Safety and Security Implications that include exposure of workers in all and exposure of Patients in Medical Application. The Safety Principle is primarily: the prevention of harm and protection of health, safety and the environment. The Security Principle recognizes the importance of preventing diversion or malicious acts. Security of Radioactive Sources during use, storage, transportation and Disposal of radioactive waste is of great concern. IAEA Model Project on the “Establishment of Radiation Protection Infrastructure” in Member Sates started in 1995. During the 49. General Conference Statements made by several African Member States revealed the desire of the various Member States to embark on nuclear power for electricity generation. This development thus expanded the original scope of the discussion from radiation protection to now include nuclear safety and nuclear security. During the 50. General Conference of September 2006 Special Event entitled “New Framework for the Utilization of Nuclear Energy in the 21. Century: Assurances of Nuclear Supply and Non-Proliferation was established. Basic Safety Fundamentals SF-1, 2006 shows those basic safety principles for nuclear safety, radiation protection; Waste management and transport safety are similar. Regional Cooperation formed an organization to be known as the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA) to provide for the enhancement, strengthening and harmonization of the radiation protection, nuclear safety and security regulatory infrastructure and framework among the members of FNRBA

[en] In Nigeria there are 5 radiotherapy centres for a population of 140 million, i.e. 1 machine to 28 million. About 100,000 new cases are diagnosed/yr. The cancer register was not updated since 1999, the services are poor and serve poor patients. Affluent patients seek treatment abroad. The legislative and regulatory infrastructure comprise the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act Cap 2221 of 1990 amended by Decree 78 of 1992, the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria Decree 1987, the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act 1995, the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority 2001, the Nigerian Basic Ionising Radiation Regulations 2003 and the Guidance on Radiation Protection. Audit report of radiotherapy practice revealed inadequate number of oncologists, medical physicist and radiographers as well as inadequate level of competence but high patient-to-expert ratio in radiotherapy. The equipment and machines are obsolete, second hand, without manuals or parts, poorly maintained, unaccredited maintenance group and lack of accessories as against spare parts. Concerning premises there is little or no shielding materials, re-configuration without drawings and lack of records. There is no operational manual, radiation protection programme, quality assurance manual and radiological emergency plan. There is no structured communication channel between management and the operating unit, no programme for equipment maintenance and replacement, no financial plan budget for the operation and maintenance of the facilities, no commitment from management to radiation protection and safety and inadequate communication between management and facility owners. Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations. The triple bottom line is economic, social and environmental sustainability. There will be a National Policy of Integrating Radiotherapy into the National Cancer Control Programme in 2005 and the International Conference ion Radiation Safety in Cancer diagnosis and Therapy, 11-14 April 2006

[en] Radioactive sources are used in many sectors of the Nigerian economy. All radioactive sources used in the country are imported. Nigeria does not produce radioactive sources and does not have any radioactive waste depository. There is a draft national policy on radioactive waste management which is yet to be approved by the Nigerian Government. The only operational part of this policy today is the return of the sources to the original manufacturers, i.e. export. This establishes the nexus between the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) and the Nigerian Customs Service. The safety and security of radioactive sources are two of the major statutory functions of the NNRA, which was established in 2001 by the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act 1995. These functions are carried out through the process of regulations and guidance; authorization; oversight functions; emergency planning and response; and ancillary functions. A very effective import/export control has been established through the process of application, inspection and authorization. A comprehensive inventory of sources and users is in progress and has proved to be a necessary condition for an effective regulatory control of radioactive sources in the country, which in turn will enhance safety and security. Some positive achievements have been recorded. However, the NNRA still faces some challenges, which can be removed through enhanced national capabilities in the area of detection at the ports of entry and through international cooperation between importing and exporting countries of radioactive sources in particular and of radiation sources in general. (author)

[en] Milestone 1 of the IAEA technical co-operation Model Project on Upgrading Radiation Protection Infrastructures requires that the participating Member States should draft and promulgate radiation protection laws and regulations, designate and empower a national regulatory authority and establish a system for the notification, authorization and control of radiation sources through inspection and enforcement. The effectiveness of the national regulatory authority can be measured by the presence of a legislation and regulation establishing it, the number and quality of its personnel, logistics and facilities at its disposal and the level of compliance of users of radiation sources in its domain. These parameters generate the hypersphere from which the lessons and experience of the national regulatory authority can be assessed in terms of authorization, inspection and enforcement. The paper highlights the experience of arrangements from various national regulatory authorities in terms of authorization, inspection and enforcement. The experience of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) in the past two years of its existence may be paradigmatic and therefore instructive. (author)

[en] Uses of ionizing radiation in the country are being brought under regulatory control for the first time in 40 years. Safety and security of radioactive sources are two of the major statutory functions of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) which was established in 2001 by the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act 1995. These functions are carried out through the process of Regulations and Guidance; Authorization; Oversight functions; Emergency Planning and Response; and Ancillary Functions. A comprehensive inventory of sources and users is in progress and has proved to be a necessary condition for an effective regulatory control of radioactive sources in the country, which in turn will enhance safety and security. Some positive achievements have been recorded. But the NNRA still faces some challenges, which can be removed within the framework of the Model Project: 'Upgrading of Radiation Protection Infrastructure'. The most prominent of these challenges is the attainment of the 'from cradle to grave' objective, arising from legacy practices and sources, which necessitate retroactive authorization. (author)

[en] The purpose is to train and develop the adequately qualified manpower in the areas of nuclear science and technology. Various options were introduced by the science departments, based on the existing facilities within the university. Twenty final year students were selected annually to attend a summer school in reactor physics and technology at the Karlsruhe Institute for Nuclear Research in West Germany. Also, there was approval for an annual recruitment quota of twelve graduate assistants for the nuclear project. Fifty qualified students were trained for various courses in nuclear science and technology both in the country and abroad. There had been graduates in nuclear science and technology courses up to the doctorate degree level. Part of efforts in the manpower has been directed towards the acquisition of adequate equipment for the teaching laboratories. The establishment of a training center in nuclear technology at Ahmadu Bello University and at University of Ife can only be considered as the zero phase in the nuclear programme of Nigeria. Funding of the nuclear programme must be guaranteed. It is also suggested that the nuclear project be allocated sufficient foreign exchange to meet all its commitments. (A.S.)

[en] The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) is charged with the overall responsibility for nuclear safety and radiological protection regulation in the country. It regulates the possession and application of radioactive substances and devices emitting ionising radiation; ensures protection of life, health, property and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation, while allowing beneficial practices involving exposure to ionising radiation. The practices involving the use of radioactive sources predates the establishment of the NNRA by several decades with the petroleum industry making the most extensive use of radioactive sources for non-destructive testing, well logging and in control gauges. Other applications of sources are in medical, which include radiotherapy and nuclear medicine, agriculture, education and research and there are several thousand sources that are also used as gauges in the manufacturing industry. The NNRA considers three fundamentals as challenges for safety and security of radioactive sources in Nigeria and these are developing an appropriate regulatory system, implementing the regulatory system and the establishment of measures to address the potential for loss of control of radioactive sources. (author)