Nuclear projects on track - Msiska
PLANS to establish a nuclear facility in Zambia have advanced and are now at institutional level framework, Secretary to the Cabinet Rowland Msiska has said.
Dr Msiska said the question of whether or not Zambia needed the nuclear facilities was no longer on the table for discussion as it had already been decided.
He said Zambia in partnership with the Russian Federation, through the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM) would implement the two nuclear facilities, Centre for Nuclear Sciences and Technology (CNST) and nuclear power plants (NPP) in Zambia.
6peaking during the official opening of a two-days meeting on management of nuclear project in Zambia at Protea Hotel in Livingstone on Monday, Dr Msiska said the project was a national priority.
"The financial situation that Zambia is currently facing is real, however, this project is a national priority, which has been set as a solution to the acute power shortages in the country as well as the anchor to achievement of middle income nation, through advancement in research and development,” he said.
"The details of financial modalities for the research reactor, shall be discussed by our technical teams... As regards the NPP, Zambia wishes to propose build operate and transfer model given that the facility is commercially viable,” said Dr. Msiska.
He said that the nuclear project of this magnitude was new to Zambia and therefore, the country opted to work and partner with ROSATOM to guide through the process.
Dr Msiska has since called on the two teams from Zambia and Russia to work diligently and with speed in implementing the already signed contracts and the beginning of the negotiations for nuclear power plants.
And ROSATOM overseas president Evgeny Pakermanov said the two teams had so far achieved progress on the project.
Mr Pakermanov said the recent meeting between the two heads of States of both countries in South Africa reaffirmed the commitment towards the realisation of the nuclear project in Zambia.
He said once everything had been put in place for works to start, Russian President Vladimir Putin would come to Zambia to commission the works.