Abuja — In order to locate, protect and identify abandoned radioactive sources in Nigeria, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Robin Renee Sanders, yesterday handed over radiation detection equipment to the country.

The ceremony, which took place at the congress hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja was part of the 2-day workshop on "Aviation Safety and Security" organised by the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) in collaboration with the United States Department of Energy (USDOE).

According to Sanders, the United States government on May 26, 2004 established the Global Threat Reduction Search and Secure Project to train nuclear regulatory abandoned radioactive sources.

She disclosed that so far the project has benefited 23 nations and Nigeria taking part in the training programme has become a member of this select group.

Speaking further, she said the people and government of the United States, through the US mission in Nigeria, are pleased to partner with Nigeria to assist NNRA and other concerned agencies, in building the necessary professional and institutional capacity to ensure safe handling of radioactive materials.

Also at the ceremony was the Director General Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory' Authority (NNRA), PROF, Shamsudeen, Babatunde Elegba, who disclosed that radioactive sources in Nigeria can be classified into three major categories; •Those authorised and introduced after the establishment of NNRA in May 2001;

•Those whose sources were already in Nigeria prior to 2001 and

•Those which were:

already in Nigeria but whose Sources and location are unknown. These, according lo him, are referred to as orphan sources'. Speaking further, he said the aim of workshop was to provide search and training on, locating these orphan Radioactive sources in order to make sure they did not tall into wrong hands and also sure the health and safety of the general public.

The Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation.Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, who gave a closing remark thanked the entire aviation industry in Nigeria and also Ambassador Robin Sanders, for the generous support .she has rendered in the pursuit of save and secure aviation industry for the country.

He added that the American was an important goal for all, and like al! the worthwhile things in life, it would take time and effort to achieve.