Senator says nuclear energy 'too dangerous' for Nigeria

folarin okunola

April 27, 2016 1:34 PM

Sani, who said N2 billion has been allocated for the construction of nuclear station in the 2016 budget, stated that he fears that Nigeria as a country is not ready for the nuclear power.

Shehu Sani

Media reports reveal that Senator Shehu Sani, senator representing Kaduna Central senatorial district, on Tuesday, criticized attempts by the federal government to invest in nuclear power in the country saying it is not safe for the nation.

Speaking at the flag-off distribution of solar power energy and transformers to a hundred communities within the Kaduna Central Senatorial zone, Senator Sani said the federal government should invest in renewal solar energy instead, rather than nuclear power which he said comes with a lot of dangers.

“Nuclear power station is not like what happens, when militants break pipelines and the next day it is repaired. If we are to install nuclear station, we should know that it comes with a lot of consequences. Nuclear station is not NNPC depot or pipeline, where you can damage it and fix it immediately and continue operations," he said.

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He further warned saying, “We have seen the danger of nuclear power station in Japan and Russia, so, we must be very careful.”

The lawmaker, while emphasizing that renewable energy is the future of energy, said Nigeria as a country must take the issue of power very seriously.

”If we are serious about developing our country and serious about diversifying our economy, we must take the issue of electricity very seriously, understanding that without electricity ,we cannot develop and move to the promise land of our dream," he further stated.

According to Sani, all industrialised nations of the world addressed the problem of electricity first, before other development issues.

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