Speaker
Description
Nuclear materials and radioactive sources are used in the fields of nuclear research, nuclear medicine, nuclear well logging and industries in Nigeria, which has help to better the ways of life in education, improve food and agriculture, health care delivery, and wealth creation for sustainable development. All these benefits do not come without some challenges, the challenges of nuclear waste is enormous, due to safety and security concerns. Nigeria has developed Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy in 2009 as a guide line for the safe management of radioactive waste and its challenges. The aim of the study is to assess the current waste management situation and policies in Nigeria to determine if its effective for the present radioactive waste been generated so as to accommodate the intermediate level waste to be generated from the proposed Nuclear Power Project for sustainability and effective waste management practices .A structured questionnaire was designed and administered to all Hospitals that generate radioactive waste , relevant Industries, Research Centres , Institutions that generate and manage waste and the Regulatory Body. Interview was conducted. Data was analysed using Relative Importance Index. The study found that all the Hospitals and Institutions implement and are aware of the Nigeria radioactive wastes management regulations with the awareness and implementation assessment score of 4.0 out of 5., Lack of availability of waste management facility (RII=0.82), Lack of availability of storage containers (RII=0.82), Lack of technological knowledge of the borehole disposal facility (RII=0.82) Practical trainings, exposure and availability of funds (RII=0.81) are most important challenges faced are lack of implementation of the Nigerian Waste Management policy and strategy developed.
