Govt invests in nuclear facility
THE Government is committed to ensuring that the implementation of nuclear security is done as evidenced by the construction of a centralised disused radioactive source processing and storage facility, an official has said.
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda said this in a speech read on his behalf by the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence and Home Affairs, Ritired BrigadierGeneral Levi Mayihlome during the official opening of the Nuclear Security Sensitisation workshop for senior decision makers and legislators as well as policymakers in Victoria Falls last week.
Dr Sibanda said outside of initiating the process of ratification and domestication of international legal instruments on nuclear security, the Government was investing in the construction of a centralised disused radioactive source processing and storage facility with respect to physical handling.
“Government has also initiated processes for the ratification and implementation of international legal instruments related to nuclear security. Further, the Radiation Amendment Bill, which is currently in its final draft, has captured a number of provisions that are meant to further strengthen our nuclear infrastructure including physical protection as well as information and computer security. With respect to physical protecting of radioactive material, Government has invested in the construction of a centralised disused radioactive source processing and storage facility,” he said.
Dr Sibanda said when completed, the facility will enhance efforts to adequately secure disused sources most of which are located at facilities albeit limited by physical protection provisions.
He said the Government has a role to play in ensuring sustained measures to ensure nuclear security hence a need to sensitise policy makers and legislators.
“The constantly evolving threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism is one of the challenges to international peace and security. The Government of Zimbabwe recognises its responsibility to ensuring that sustained measures are taken to prevent as well as combat the threat of sabotage or the use of radioactive materials for malicious acts; and also the importance of international co-operation to allow for a more inclusive, co-ordinated and sustainable global nuclear security architecture for the common benefit and security of all. The objective of this particular mission is to sensitise parliamentarians, senior Government officials and decision makers on how to develop, maintain and sustain a national nuclear regime,” said Dr Sibanda.
He said international legal instruments awaiting presentation in parliament include Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, Convention on Assistance in the case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency and Additional Protocol to the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement between the IAEA and Government.
The workshop was also attended by senior officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).