The Atomic Energy Board of Namibia engaged stakeholders in the Kavango West Region on the draft Nuclear Energy Bill.  

The consultations seek to raise awareness, explain the Bill, and get input from the people at the grassroots level.

The Nuclear Energy Bill seeks to repeal the current Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act, which has been in place for 10 years.

Officials say the existing Act is not comprehensive enough to provide for modern nuclear practices, including the establishment of nuclear energy. 

The Bill aims to create a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for all nuclear and radiation-related activities in Namibia.

Dr. Gideon Amakali is the Deputy Director of the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Authority.

"The bill is proposed to establish three bodies. One is the commission, which provides the supervisory role of all matter related to radiation and the advisory role to all matter related to nuclear technology. It also aims to establish what we call the 'Radiation Regulatory Authority' to control the use of radiation applications in Namibia and also to establish the Namibia Nuclear Institute, which will now promote and develop nuclear applications in Namibia."

Dr Amakali also emphasised the importance of nuclear energy as one of the cleanest energy sources.

"When we are talking about climatic change, this has less impact on causing the climatic change. And we are saying that it provides a reliable and stable source of nuclear energy, unlike wind and solar, which sometimes you may not have. And as we know, we are importing electricity from other countries, so introducing that nuclear energy in Namibia may approach that dependency of us on foreign resources.'

Kavango West Governor Verna Sinimbo adds, "I'm happy we have a lot of students here. Complex scientific research and, around the world, nuclear technologies are improving the quality of life through advanced medical diagnosis and cancer treatment, enhancing agricultural productivity, improving food security or food safety, strengthening water resource management, supporting environmental monitoring, facilitating scientific research and contributing to industrial development."