The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NNRA) is to site its South-South zonal headquarters in Bayelsa State.

The NNRA Director General, Dr. Yau Idris, stated this during a courtesy visit to Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.

Dr. Idris, who was accompanied by members of the Bayelsa State House of Representatives Caucus, noted that the agency is a regulatory body in charge of issues relating to radiation.

According to him, the NNRA, an agency under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, has 80% of its activities related to oil and gas in the state. The agency is also responsible for regulating radiation activities in the health, mining, agriculture and manufacturing sectors among others.

Dr. Idris stated that the increase in the agency’s activities and the need to expand informed the decision to approach the Minister of State Petroleum, who approved the siting of the office in Yenagoa.

In his response, Governor Diri said locating the agency’s office in the state is a welcome development that would benefit the people.

The governor however urged the agency to move beyond oil and gas and explore other areas like space that would contribute to the development of the country as the world economy is moving away from oil and gas. He further appreciated the Minister of State, Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, for approving the zonal headquarters for the state.

While appreciating members of the National Assembly from Bayelsa for setting their political differences aside to work for development of the state, he said that what should be paramount in their stewardship should be bequeathing a better society to the next generation.