Speaker
Description
The Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plan (INSSP) initial and review missions were carried out in Cameroon in 2012, 2015 and 2018.One of the main nuclear security functional areas was on sustainability which lay emphasis on Nuclear Security Culture. Several recommendations were turned into actions to see to it that the action plan was developed and followed up. National Radiation Protection Agency (NRPA) is championing national Nuclear Security Culture in terms of training workshops and addressed the safety and security of over 500 radioactive sources (sealed sources, unsealed radioactive sources and disused, associated facilities and associated activities) for protecting persons, property and the environment as stated in her mission of Decree number 2002/250. In 2006, Cameroon government expressed her intention to work towards implementing the provisions of the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. Its implementation of the code guidance has integrated the safety and security in all regulatory activities. Ratification of the Amendment of the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) in 2015 enhanced the integration of safety and security interface, especially the transport of sources. Trainings are conducted on the implementation and operation of the Physical Protection and Security Management with regulators and operators. Regulatory peer reviews and supports implementing inspection regimes in accordance with international safety and security guides are being done at sites with graded approach. Strengthening of Physical Protection at radiation sources facilities have been done. More than 200 national training courses were organized since 2010 with modules of safety and security covered. Modules for Safety and Security are continuously examined with respect to national needs.
NRPA is part of the national security ad hoc committee for the organization of African Nation Cups since 2016. In order that nuclear security regime remained effective so that it should be sustainable over time at both national and operational levels, NRPA worked together with law enforcement and security officers in a consistent and complementary manner. Training needs assessment was done to clear understanding of the assigned nuclear security functional responsibilities. Identification of those jobs and their related tasks and competencies for which training is required were done. The objective was to come up with nuclear security culture program for promoting, enhancing, and sustaining a strong nuclear security culture. This was done through facilitated practical applications of the nuclear security culture concepts. Some difficulties were encountered at the levels where everyone, or anyone claims or surrenders that that someone would do it. Everyone thought that anyone could do it, but no one understood that everyone would get away from it as radioactive risks are concerned. At the end, everyone accused someone while nobody did what anyone could have done by putting in place a policy or a regulation that could create a national Nuclear Security Committee. NRPA decided to use this as an opportunity, based on the law No2016/015 to coordinate nuclear security culture.
A lot of benefits from implementing the nuclear security culture have been felt. Our Security levels, designed and management systems were enhanced. Improvement of individual performances, shared commitments to nuclear security and employee satisfaction with operators were noticed.
| State | Cameroon |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
