By Emeka Nze
Abuja
The Federal government has been urged to explore and develop all sources of energy available in the country.
The call was made by the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) at a presentation to the national conference committee on Energy.
The commission also disclosed that the country will get a nuclear plant in 2022 at the cost of 6 billion Dollars.
While reacting to a question from the committee’s chairman, Senator Rashidi Ladoja yesterday, the Director, Human Resources of the commission, Prof Simon Mallam recommended the nuclear energy plant as it can last and ensure stable power for as long as sixty years .
He suggested that the best thing to do in order to have sustainable energy even for the future would be to develop all the available energy sources including nuclear, gas, hydro , coal and solar.
He further advised that although the country wasted a little time in the nuclear arena, it will nonetheless be able to deliver nuclear power by 2022 if the enabling environment and support were given.
Mallam said nuclear power may be expensive but can endure for a very long time even if it starts with a small plant.
All the available sources, according to the commission, can exist side by side adding that what is generated from the nuclear can be used to feed into others and it becomes a basic supply.
While dismissing its expensive nature, he averred that the country can embrace the principle of ‘’Build on and operate’’ option where private individuals with the skill and finance can develop and manage it for some time and recoup their money and hand over to the government.
He explained that the option gives room for a country with the available resources to provide the enabling environment and other frame works needed just as the partner will be concerned with the development and operation which leaves the two countries with a win-win situation.
‘’I believe that although we wasted time, but we are not arriving late on the scene. All the administrations right from Chief Obasanjo have given their commitments in this regard.
“We also hope that subsequent administrations will key in to it, there is no reason why they will not key in. We want to be sure of what we are doing as far as the technology, safety and environment is concerned. That is why we are taking our time and collaborating with the international community but we will meet our target with all the support,‘’ he said.