IRDP sponsored a Nuclear Executive Workshop in Abuja, Nigeria for regulatory agencies of ten countries from throughout the African continent. The countries represented at the workshop are in various stages of developing a nuclear power capability. Many have been participating in the IAEA Milestone process, an approach in which a nation progresses systematically through stages of development toward eventual achievement of a nuclear power option.
The workshop is designed to assist regulators in creating action plans to guide development of the capability to license and regulate nuclear power plants. The topics covered included the full range of activities necessary for an effective regulatory program: organizational structure of the agency; functions of a regulatory program; activities necessary for regulatory oversight; skills and qualifications of the regulatory staff; and training and qualification programs for staff development. The agenda consisted of training sessions interspersed with ample opportunity for discussion and consensus-building among participants.
At the conclusion of the workshop, the participating countries defined follow on actions for advancement of their programs. Plans were made for follow-on activities including a workshop on siting in the fall of this year.