Afam Ogene, the Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, has urged Nigerian scientists overseeing the country’s nuclear research centers to refrain from any actions that could endanger national security and its people.
Despite facing issues such as non-payment of hazard and high-risk allowances, Ogene emphasized the importance of the scientists maintaining a high level of patriotism towards their country.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Ogene made the plea during a meeting with representatives from the Centre for Energy Research and Training at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the Centre for Energy and Development at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, at the National Assembly.
The meeting was part of an ongoing investigation into why hazard and high-risk allowances, approved for the scientists, were withheld by the Budget Office and allegedly paid to civil servants employed by the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission in Abuja.
The Zaria center in Kaduna state is home to the nation’s only nuclear reactor, while the Ile-Ife center houses a nuclear Tandem Accelerator along with nuclear waste and other sources of radiation that require careful handling.
Ogene affirmed that efforts are being made by the parliament to ensure financial autonomy for the two centers of excellence by granting them separate budget lines for the effective execution of their mandates.
The concerns raised by the management of the two high-risk centers regarding the impact of unpaid allowances on the morale of scientists and the risks involved in managing the nation’s nuclear facilities were expressed in a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abass Tajudeen, in January 2024.
They also highlighted the potential risks of sabotage or nuclear accidents due to the disillusionment among staff at the two centers caused by poor working conditions and lack of institutional support for their programs.
Following the concerns raised, the Speaker directed the Committee on Renewable Energy to address the challenges faced by the centers.
The representatives of the centers, including Professors Ganiyu Balogun, John-Felix Akinbami, and Dr. Bashir Umar, called for immediate action to meet the needs of personnel at the two centers.
In response, Ogene stated that Speaker Abbas has instructed the Budget Office of the Federation and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to reinstate the allowances that were under review.
Additionally, the Speaker emphasized the importance of approving appeals made by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission on behalf of the staff, given the critical nature of their roles.
The Speaker also recommended querying the National Income Salaries and Wages Commission due to their negative involvement in the matter.