Row Over Siting Of Nuclear Plant In Uyo

Proposed nuclear power plant ruffling feathers in Akwa Ibom State

Members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have joined other groups in the state to oppose the planned siting of a nuclear power plant at a location in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The motion was sponsored by a member representing Onna State Constituency, Hon. (Otuekong) Nse Essien.

Essien noted that it is in the public domain that the National Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) has decided to build nuclear power plants in the country to boost power generation and in agreement with Rosatom, the Russian government-owned nuclear energy corporation, has already designated two sites in Akwa Ibom and Kogi States for the siting of the plants.

The Nation report continues:

Essien in the motion noted that though Akwa Ibom State government and its people are in full support of the federal government’s efforts aimed at boosting power generation to ensure the socio-cultural and economic development of the entire country, however expressed serious fears of the threats and danger the State would be exposed to.

The lawmaker noted and recounted the destructions and disasters nuclear accidents have wrecked in over 18 highly industrialised countries, adding that ever since the first serious nuclear accident in the Chalk River, Ontario, Canada in 1952, trillions of dollars with thousands of lives across generations have been destroyed.

Other countries that have also suffered the adverse effect of nuclear power-induced calamity include: United States of America, Japan, Sweden, Germany, France, Russia, United Kingdom and many other very developed and advanced societies, he stressed.

The House moved a motion calling on the NAEC and the federal government to reconsider its desire to build the plant in Akwa Ibom with a dense population per square kilometer. The House also called on Governor Udom Emmanuel to protest vigorously to the National Atomic Energy Commission and the federal government against the proposed nuclear plant.

The House however called on the federal government to explore other available and harmless means of power in the state including increasing the capacity of the Ibom Power Plant.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko referred the motion to the Committee on Environment.