The Federal Government has reiterated it’s resolved to generating electricity from nuclear power plants as a means of achieving sustained socio-economic development in the country.

Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhre, Minister of Science and Technology, said this recently during inauguration of a 1.7MV tandem accelerator at the Centre for Energy Research and Development (CERD), located in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.

The Minister, in a statement released by the ministry and signed by Mr. Aminu Abdul Ganiyu, Chief Press Secretary, said the accelerator would enable the country enhance meaningful application of nuclear science and technology.

She added that the facility which is the second of its kind in Sub-Sahara Africa would be used for basic and applied research in food and agriculture, environmental studies, industry, material science and manpower training.

Ekpiwhre appealed to the science and technology community to make effective use of the facility to justify the investment of government and its development partners.

She also commended the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its role and assistance in enabling the country realizes its dream of harnessing nuclear energy for electricity generation and for other peaceful purposes.

In another development, Dr. Erepamo Osai Sai, Director-General of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), urged the staff of the centre to utilize the facility for higher professional accomplishments and to also develop younger scientists in the field of nuclear science and technology

He commended the centre for increasing the number of indigenous nuclear technology professionals, adding that the inauguration was a clear attestation of the centre tenacity and commitment to achieving set goals.

He revealed that the NAEC had concluded arrangements to construct and equip a Thermal Hydraulic Laboratory (THL) at the Centre for Energy Research and Development (CERD) under the current policy plan.