Radioactive experts for advanced detection training

Experts in nuclear and radioactive materials from east and central Africa will undergo a one-week training on advanced detection equipment in Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) director general Abraham Nyanda said on Monday that the training was aimed at creating awareness on the prevention of illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials for frontline officers.

He said the region ought to have well-equipped personnel in the illicit trafficking areas and other malicious acts related to nuclear as well as radioactive materials.

``The training will enable participants to meet global as well as regional targets to mitigate incidents and acts related to nuclear and radioactive materials,`` he said.

Tanzania and other countries in the region had joined hands with international efforts to detect, respond to and take mitigation measures to eradicate trafficking incidents and emergencies, particularly in high-risk radioactive sources.

``This will make the government take appropriate regulatory enforcement actions to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents,`` he said.

He underscored the importance of collective efforts to prevent, detect and interdict or respond to illicit trafficking incidents and emergencies.

`All these efforts are intended to highlight the threat to public safety and security posed by some forms of nuclear terrorism through the possible use of radiological dispersive devices (RDDs),`` Nyanda noted.

He said the international community was in great need of new and stronger measures to protect itself against attacks.

�The international community needs regional collaboration to prepare for and deal with a diverse range of terrorist scenarios-including illicit trafficking of radioactive materials,� he stressed.

The training is organised by TAEC in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
It brings together 18 participants from the three countries of Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.