The Ministry of Health and Social Services inaugurated the 6th Atomic Energy Board of Namibia, which will serve for a period of three years.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Esperance Luvindao, said NDP6 will guide Namibia's nuclear development while the Atomic Energy Board implements it.

"We have started discussion already on the draft bill, and that conversation has already started, which, once again, speaks to the work that they have undertaken to finalise that legislation as far as possible."

The board is a legal body under the Radiation Protection Act and reports to the ministries of health and works with the energy ministry to carry out its responsibilities.

Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Penda Ithindi, explained that "the administration and execution of the strategy, along with the functions of the board, are within the scope and mandate of this ministry, in coordination with the minister responsible for energy." 

The chairperson of the 6th AE Board, Dr. Shitaleni Herman, urged the speedy finalisation of the bill to support a stronger legal framework to have the nuclear sector better regulated.

"We would like to see to it that perhaps the nuclear bill is sped up because this is the bill that currently aligns the projection of the industry to the new legal framework which, on one hand, speaks on the strength of the independence of the board and of the regulator as well as the regulation of the nuclear infrastructure, of which some of the capacities that we are talking about."

The AE Board highlights progress in Namibia's nuclear sector through legal reforms, policy coordination and institutional strengthening to support future development.