A non-governmental organisation in Akwa Ibom State, Association of Public Policy Advocacy Professionals (PPAP), has urged indigenes of Akwa Ibom to accept the proposed citing of a Nuclear Plant in the state, saying that the benefits of having a nuclear plant in the state overwhelmed the disadvantages, which were being canvassed by some people.

In a press statement in Uyo, signed by chairman of the association, Dr. Roberta Edem, stated that “the project which is envisaged to gulp over 8 billion US dollars, is a blessing, and the economic gains will serve even generations yet unborn.”

“Nigeria’s desirability in joining the league of nuclear powers in the world, is a welcome development, in view of its advantages. The choice of Itu in Akwa Ibom State, is the best choice, in view of her topography to meet global site qualifications,” the statement explained.

It stressed that the need for nuclear power plant in Nigeria “is anchored on the determination of the federal government to pull the country out of electricity black-outs, open up the country for industrialisation and the empowerment of the generality of the people, while cutting down unemployment.”

Dr. Edem, in the statement, stressed that “indigenes of the state stand to benefit immensely from certain technical skills exposure and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) increased, while tax would be boosted.”

Giving out figures and quoting from the International Atomic Energy Agency, PPAP stated that U.S.A. had 104 nuclear reactors, France 58, and Japan 50, as of January 2013.

“Some other countries of the world using nuclear power plants include, South Africa, Egypt, Brazil, China, Russia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Argentina, Ukraine and Sweden, among others, and some of those nuclear power generations have been in existence for over 50 years now, with great improvement and standardisation,” the association stated.

News Express reports that the state house of assembly, has already raised a committee to investigate the safety, gains, viability or otherwise of the proposed nuclear power plant project in the state, by the federal government.

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