The need for nuclear regulation in the country was highlighted at the Regional Public Consultation in |Khomas region on the draft nuclear Bill.

The law aims to regulate and develop the sector, ensuring public safety and benefits from the technology.

During the consultation, Atomic Energy Board Secretary Axel Tibinyane highlighted peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 

Such as medical diagnostics, cancer treatment, nuclear medicine, road construction, power generation, desalination and industrial processes, among others. 

"So, currently what we do, the Ministry of Health is doing a bit of, you know, promotion; they work with the IAA, bring the technology, and work with local institutions to make sure the technology is there. You have the NCRST; they also have plans to develop institutions that look at that. You have the NEI that also works in this space. So, you have so many other organisations that are working in this space. But what we say is that maybe this is not good, you know. We are a small country; let's consolidate our resources and create institutions that serve our purpose, and we will work together in that frame."

The Bill proposes three institutions that will define the sector: a Nuclear Commission of Namibia, a Nuclear Institute of Namibia, and a Radiation and Nuclear Regulatory Authority of Namibia.

Chairperson of the |Khomas Regional Council, Stephanus Ndengu reiterates, "The nuclear sector is a young and emerging industry; the institutions this bill creates have no settled culture, no fixed way of doing things and no long history to lean upon. They are being designed now and amazing last year. The institutions this bill created have no set of targets and no fixed weight for doing things. They are in the designs now."

Consultations have so far been held in thirteen regions, with |Khomas being the last.