MANAGEMENT OF NORM IN THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY Akpojevwa Tega Naomi, october 2016 | Page 51
4.1.1 Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA)
The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Production Act of 1995 was the first major
legislation on radiation safety promulgated in Nigeria. The Act led to the
establishment of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NNRA). The
Federal government also established the National Institute for Radiation
Production and Research, located at the University of Ibadan as the
technical/scientific support arm of the NNRA.
The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Act of 1995 charges the regulator with the
responsibility for nuclear safety and radiological protection regulation in
Nigeria. The Act requires the regulator to ensure protection of life, health,
property and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.
The Act also has provisions for sanctions ranging from fines, closure of
facilities to imprisonment.
Based on experiences of the regulator (NNRA) on radiological incidents and
accidents in the petroleum industry, it has fashioned out two other enforceable
regulations on radiation safety issues concerning oil and gas activity.
Towards the achievement of the objectives enunciated in the National Policy,
NNRA in consultation with other stakeholders promulgated the following
regulations for the safe management of radioactive waste:
Nigerian Basic Ionizing Radiation Regulations ,2003
Nigerian Radioactive Waste Management Regulations, 2006
Nigerian Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM)
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