Nigeria Plans Nuclear Power For Development (arms race?)

Voice Of America ^ | 3/27/2014 | Heather Murdock

[Viennacon]

ABUJA — On Monday, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said his country intends to harness nuclear energy for development purposes - which to most Nigerians means one thing: providing electricity. But some analysts say that Nigeria should figure out how to keep the lights on with the huge natural resources it already has.

Nigeria’s nuclear aspirations began in 2007, when then-President Umaru Yar'Adua said the country planned to add nuclear power to the national grid by 2017.

The original deadline seems to be off the table, but officials say the plan is still on track.

“Nigeria is on course in its plan to have nuclear power that is used for nuclear energy for peaceful use. And one of the things we’ve done is to have the institutional framework in place,” said Eli Jidere Bala, the director general of the Energy Commission of Nigeria.

Bala said Nigeria has established a regulator, research facilities and is working with the International Atomic Energy Association.

“We are planning between 1,000 megawatts and 2,000 megawatts for the first instance before, very shortly. I know it takes time to plan nuclear. You must plan. It takes about eight years for planning etc., etc. So we are targeting at 1,000 to 2,000 megawatts,” explained Bala.

Nigeria currently has a capacity of just 4,000 megawatts, which means roughly half the country's 160 million people have no electricity at all, and most others only have it for a few hours a day.

Nigerian journalist and commentator Wole Olaoye has been covering the power sector here for nearly four decades. He said that since Nigeria became a democracy in 1999, every president has promised to provide electricity for the entire country.

[Viennacon]

Odd that a country awash in natural resources is now going to develop nuclear energy. My guess is President Jonathan wants to do what South Africa did, and develop a bomb secretly. His country is set to eclipse its southern neighbor as the largest economy in Africa, and with Iran pursuing its nuclear ambitions unhindered, with Saudi Arabia wanting their own bomb, could this be another domino in the nuclear arms race?

[Truth29]

Wouldn’t be surprised if that “regional” power, Russia, comes knocking at their door soon offering to build them a reactor.

[Viennacon]

With Egypt in the east and Nigeria in the west, Putin could solidify a pan Afro-Russo alliance.

[Biggirl]

Could it be because if another civil war breaks out and the southern part of that country has all the oil resources the northern half has a possible back-up?

[Viennacon]

Doubt it. The north is infested with Boko Haram. Jonathan would keep any reactors along the coast, as far away from the Islamic nutjobs as possible.

[edpc]

Dear Sir or Madam,

Having consulted with my colleagues and based on the information gathered from the Nigerian Chambers Of Commerce And Industry, I have the privilege to request your assistance to transfer 4 million tons of yellowcake. Your portion would be 10% of the stockpile. Before we can make the transfer, we would require that you send 100kg of 90% HEU. Thank you for your assistance.

Best regards

Howgul Abul Arhu

[Jack Hydrazine]

419er alert!

[Army Air Corps]

Ping

[Slings and Arrows]

Do you think that the Finance Minister of Nigeria has trouble getting his emails answered?