Nuclear Science and Technology centre to be constructed 10kms from Lusaka

GOVERNMENT recently signed a contract for the construction of a nuclear science and tech-nology Centre in Zambia at a ceremony that took place in Sochi, Russia during the 10th international Atomexpo-2018 forum.

General Director of State Specialized Design institute JSC (GSPI) Vyacheslav Galushkov, signed on behalf of Russia while Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education Mabvuto Sakala signed on behalf of Zambia. Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa and his Russian counterpart Alexey Likhachev who is also the General Director of State Corporation Rosatom were also in attendance during the signing ceremony.

And Mr. Likhachev said, signing of the contract will open a new chapter in the partnership between the countries in the nearest future. “We plan to start extensive practical works, including engineering surveys at the site of the centre” he said.

He added that once the center is completed it will enable the Republic of Zambia to become one of the leading players in nuclear technologies application in the Central and Southern Africa region.

He narrated that the radioisotopes produced will be used to diagnose and treat primarily cancer and cardiac diseases, which will generally increase availability of high-tech nuclear medicine for Zambia’s population. Well as the radiation for food processing will improve food safety and create conditions for the increase of Zambian agricultural exports.

Earlier Minister of Higher Education Nkandu Luo mentioned that the first Zambian nuclear power plant will be critical to ensuring sufficient supply of electricity to power the economy for decades. She said the government working with the Russian government and the International Atomic Energy Agency are partnering in the nuclear science programme.

The project which is expected to be implemented in various levels within 3-6 years from work offset date under contract. The center will be located 10 kilometers away from Lusaka city. The construction of the center is the first joint project of Russia and Zambia in the field of nuclear technologies.