Abuja — The Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria will soon undergo facility upgrade courtesy of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC).

The Director General of the NAEC Dr Erepamo Osaisai gave the hint yesterday while speaking at the 6th African Conference on Research Reactor Utilisation and Safety in Abuja.

He said the ongoing workshop is part of the preparation to commence the exercise. Osaisai who spoke through Mr Joshua Ume explained that through this regional approach to development, AFRA seeks to accelerate moves towards self sufficiency in nuclear scientific disciplines and technologies by coordinating intellectual and physical resources in a cost effective manner.

He said under the thematic area of research reactor applications, AFRA has successfully executed about four projects. The last project was RAF 4020 on Nutritional and health Related Studies Using Research Reactors and was concluded last year.

Speaking at the conference the minister of Science and Technology Dr Alhassan Bako Zaku said the AFRA conference in Nigeria is a welcome development at this particular moment when the country taking a bold step to implement its nuclear power plant.