Zambia has started preparations for a Construction of a Nuclear Research Centre in Chongwe district and structures on the site in Silverest area are expected by early 2020.
This follows four memorandum of understanding that was signed between Zambia and Russia for use of peaceful purposes on December seventh, 2016.
National Coordinator, Nuclear Energy program implementing organization- NEPIO, Reuben Katebe says the agreements were sealed off further when President Edgar Lungu and Russian President Vladimir Puttin met in South Africa during the brick summit in July 2018.
Dr Katebe has however clarified that the Centre will not be for military operations as suggested by some sections of the media but that it will be used for economic benefits of the country.
Dr Katebe has told ZNBC news in an interview that currently Zambia is importing all medical products which are sterilized at a high cost but that once the Centre is open, it will be done at no costs.
He further explained that all isotopes for treatment and diagnosis of cancer will no longer be imported from south Africa as is the case now.
He added that Zambia will no longer have to send students to Russia for nuclear science and technology as the center will be host for about One thousand students from master’s degree level.
And Nuclear Energy Program Implementation Organization Engineer – William Masocha says the organization is working with a Russian state owned company Rosatom on the project.
Mr. Masocha explained that so far preliminary tests have been done concerning under ground water levels , humidity and air speed.
He stated that structures will come as soon as soil tests are completed.
I suspect that Lungu and PF are building a nuclear waste burial ground where spent nuclear spent materials will be buried at a cost. This is a dangerous income venture for Lungu and his top PF minions.
Niger is now suffering from massive nuclear contamination to which the world has ignored because its the western countries who used it to bury nuclear waste.
Iran is under massive threats for embarking on nuclear technology . How come Zambia can just be given the technology like that without the US raising its eye brows; more especially that its Russia behind this move.
PF is known for being mischievous with what ever it intends to. So please people do not believe this dangerous lie. PF might even buy polonium to poison opposition leaders.
Well call it scare mongering but 98.999%…
And they have chosen a very strategic site. Chong we is so central when it explodes the whole of Zambia will be affected
I wanted to say they have chosen a very un strategic site.
A project of this magnirude musr be discussed in parliament and probably a referundum held. handling of nuclear material is not easy. Before the project is completed children born during the period will have to be observed closely. Why is the project not in Eastern province or Northern province or Luapula? Ngafyapena these peoples relatives will not be affected. Lumwana has Uranium Zambia will be adding value. This uranium will transported from Northwestern province, pass through Copperbelt , Central, Lusaka and finally in the village who will in turn scrounging the so called black mountain with no PPE. They will carry the dust to their homes and contamination will start through babies who will be deformed. ECL is immuned ro prosecurion.Lwenu tukamintabiliako mwe ba Soli
Zambia does not need nuclear energy period. South Africa with 20 times our industry has refused nuclear. How does Zambia reason it does?
Simple it did not reason. Corruption was at work. This was state capture. We really have a very very docile opposition.
Zambia will be a dumping site.
So they will using underground water to cool the reactors. Where will the waste water go? Do we have water streams in the silver rest area?
Please, let us all say No to this project, it will adversely affect the health, safety and the environment of our country.
Start a petition my sister since we have no opposition
And when there is a NUCLEAR ACCIDENT as there undoubtedly will be sooner or later — ALL THE RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS WILL BE BLOWN DIRECTLY ONTO THE CITY OF LUSAKA !!!!
These people have not thought this through.
The prevailing wind is DIRECTLY COMING FROM CHONGWE.
Did Chernobyl not teach these fools anything ????????????
This is obviously s good idea especially when we have lamentably failed to generate hydro, solar, wind and refuse power despite having many rivers, plenty sunshine, plenty wind and piles of rubbish all over Lusaka. But the risks involved in maintenance of such a project far much outweigh the benefits and Russia known this much better because they never forget the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. It might be for research purposes, but why build such a dangerous facility in the capital city of all unproductive and unpopulated places in Zambia? This is really carelessness!
Our leaders are obviously uninformed about high maintenance costs and the dangers posed by nuclear facilities. Russia has had serious nuclear accidents in the past but they surely don’t care what happens in Zambia because they will be paid. Do you even know that Mandela counselled nuclear programs in his country when he became president because of the obvious dangers involved?
A bit nervous! It’s good on one hand but CHONGWE is not the p!ace for this! Silverest is only hecteracres from home sweet home. OMG, all those Russians running around the area. NYET GOOD! It’s too central why not go a bit further towards Chipata in all those large unsettled tracks?