State wants to accelerate nuclear use
GOVERNMENT has embarked on the acceleration of the utilisation of nuclear science and technology to achieve sustainable socio-economic transformation in the country.
Additionally, Government will approve the National Nuclear Policy by the end of the year.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education, Kayula Siame, said the policy direction was driven by a commitment to have nuclear energy as part of the diversified sustainable energy mix.
She was speaking when when she officially opened the Northern validation meeting of the national nuclear policy in Kitwe yesterday.
"The policy will enhance the contribution of nuclear science and technology in research and development, health, agriculture, mining, energy and industry taking recognizance of the cross-cutting nature of nuclear energg," she said.
Ms Siame said the nuclear policy was developed to outline the country's vision for the innovative utilisation, expansion and contribution of nuclear energy to the economy.
She said that the country was scaling up the use of nuclear technology in economic development.
This, she said, had prompted a strategic shift in policy towards accelerated and expanded utilization of nuclear science and technologies to spur socio-economic transformation.
Ms Siame stated that the policy would establish a framework through which government would develop capabilities in nuclear science and technology in a coordinated and supportive environment.