02 Dec 2015

Deputy permanent secretary in the Office of the President responsible for Information and Broadcasting, Mr Mogomotsi Kaboeamodimo has expressed optimism that delegates attending a four-day Regional Workshop on Conducting a Radiological Emergency Exercise will optimally use the experience and lessons learnt to improve their national emergency preparedness and response capabilities in order to protect human life and the environment.

He said experience had shown that local first responders generally have no experience with radiation emergencies as they rarely occur, noting that the course will put them in a better position to respond to radiological emergencies and protect the public and other emergency personnel during response. 

Officiating at the event, which attracted 18 African countries at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) on Tuesday, Mr Kaboeamodimo thanked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for sanctioning Botswana to host the workshop. 

He said the move gives Botswana an opportunity to assess the country’s emergency preparedness and response capability with regard to radiological emergencies. 

Mr Kaboeamodimo however regretted that despite all precautions that are taken in the design and operation of nuclear facilities and the conduct of nuclear activities, there is always the possibility of failure or an accident that may give rise to a nuclear or radiological emergency.

He noted that in some instances, this may give rise to exposure or release of radioactive material within facilities and/or into public domain, which may necessitate emergency response action.  Such emergencies may include transport accidents, as such adequate preparations and arrangements for emergency response action need to be established, he stated.

Mr Kaboeamodimo said the use of nuclear technology in Botswana is increasing, saying the technology is used in applications such as road construction, mining, agriculture, research institutions and secondary schools among others. Therefore radiological accidents are always a possibility at those facilities, he said.

He said in response to this, the government enacted the Radiation Protection Act of 2006 to regulate the use of nuclear in the country. 

 

The act gives the primary responsibility for emergency responses to facility owners. Ends