The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) has begun campaign to sensitise residents of Oku Iboku community in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom on the benefit of a nuclear power project.
The sensitisation began in Uyo on Thursday with a meeting involving traditional rulers, community leaders, women, youths, professionals, politicians and Chairman of the council, Mr Etetim Onuk.
The theme of the awareness is: “Sustainable and Reliable Energy for Economic Growth’’.
The Project Manager, Nigeria nuclear power, Prof. Matthew Agu, said that the people stood benefit from the proposed plant in numerous ways.
Agu said that nuclear energy was not only friendly, but safe and cheaper than thermal and solar, stressing that it was also environmentally friendly.
“The nuclear power energy industry plays important role in the social and economic growth of the country.
“This ranges from job creation, provision of basic amenities to generation of substantial domestic and economic value in electricity sales and revenue.
“A recent analysis has found that nuclear power plants create some of the largest economic benefits, compared to other electric generating technologies, due to their size and number of workers needed for the operation of the plants.
“Operation of nuclear plant requires 800 to 1, 200 direct permanent jobs per reactor,’’ Agu said.
The project manager urged the community and Akwa Ibom people in general to accept the proposed plant in their community, adding that it would improve their living standard.
In a paper, Prof. Okon Ansa, on behalf of Itu Concerned Patriot, noted that the concern of the people was the problem of safe storage of waste material.
Ansa expressed concern that in case of accident at the plant, the country might not have the ability to manage the crisis that might arise from it.
He also noted that the establishment of the plant could also pose a threat to national security because nuclear plant materials could enter wrong hands.
Ansa said that the establishment of the plant in the community could hinder the means livelihood of the people, fishing and farming.
“Notwithstanding the numerous advantages of generating power from a nuclear plant as canvassed by NAEC in this enlightenment campaign, we feel very strongly and professionally that it will be counter-productive to site such a plant in the state, in view of the aforementioned issues.
“It is necessary to note that no matter the correctness of technical, economic and legal considerations in the sitting of any project, the granting of social license (acceptance) by the people is paramount for project sustainability.
“We strongly believe that we are speaking the minds of Akwa Ibom citizens in this submission and posterity will exonerate us from blame for the negative consequences of any inadvertent nuclear disaster,’’ Ansa said.
Also, the chairman of the LG, expressed concern and fears over the proposed citing of a nuclear energy power project in the community.
Onuk said though the people would benefit from the project, it was not without grave dangers to the residents.
“Without sounding immodest, let me state emphatically that from the conception of this idea to site a nuclear plant in some parts of Itu local government, the elders, stakeholders, traditional ruler and the political class had expressed reservations over it.” (NAN)
