The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) has concluded a two-day workshop for IAEA Project Counterparts on ” Enhancing Effectiveness and Efficiency of IAEA Technical Cooperation in Nigeria”. The convener of the workshop, Engr. Awwal Bisallah, Head, ICL (NAEC) & IAEA National Liaison Assistant (NLA) in his opening remarks stated that the purpose of the meeting is to take stock of the activities and implementation of national, regional and inter-regional TC Projects across the country. This he said will ensure that Project Counterparts are dedicated to achieving improved performance in their respective projects enabling Nigeria to derive maximum benefits from all IAEA projects in the country.

The projects which span across different sectors of the economy, includes; healthcare, water resources management, environment, nuclear power, ionising radiation, among others. He further pointed out that the Ag. Chairman, NAEC is committed to improvement on the 96.6% implementation recorded last year.

The Ag. Chairman of NAEC, Engr. Anthony Ekedegwa in his address welcomed all participants, noting that one of the successes of this annual event is the sustained experience sharing regarding the progress and challenges associated with project implementation in the country as well as sharing best practices among the Project Counterparts. He went on to say that positive strides have been made in the areas of shipment delays caused by NAFDAC permit and tax exemption processing; shipment and clearing of IAEA-donated consignments for technical projects in the country. He said gaps in communication between the IAEA, NLO and Project Counterparts, have also been substantially bridged. He encouraged participants to focus their discussions on addressing the developmental needs of the country through the application of nuclear science and technology and prioritize efforts in areas that offer immediate and significant benefits to the nation.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who was ably represented by the Deputy Director (General Services), Mr. Ibrahim Abdulkarim, while declaring the workshop open, stated that the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the New Hope agenda, is doing everything possible to ensure that Nigeria is not left behind in all the various sectors of the economy, including scienec and technology for national development.

Other agencies in attendance were; NNRA, NIHSA, NGSA, ECN and NICRAT, CERT Zaria, Micheal OKpala University of Agriculture Umudike, Root Crop Research Institute Umudike, National Vetenary Research Institute, Vom, African Center of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety. National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria Geological Survey Agency.

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