How Atomic agency saved Tanzanians from radiation catastrophes

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) has managed to effectively intervene in several radiation prevention incidents, including 17 that could potentially put the lives of Tanzanians at great risk.

Speaking during a meeting with editors on Monday, April 29, the TAEC director general, Prof Lazaro Busagala, said it was in light of general obliviousness to what atomic energy and radiation in general entail that TAEC was prioritising public education on the subject matter.

In one of the incidents, Prof Busagala recounts, an individual started selling uranium materials to farmers so that they could put them in their cereals to prevent weevils.

And, he said, it was about to become a business.

“But just as it was still in its infancy, in collaboration with security agencies, we intervened to stop this. This means that people would have consumed this radiation and suffered serious consequences,” he said, without revealing the actual location where the incident occurred.

Prof Busagala also shared another incident where an individual was caught with a heavy radiation-emitting device while seeking buyers.

"He kept the device with him, and after approximately two weeks, security agencies apprehended him," he said.

Unfortunately, the individual died within two weeks after his apprehension due to high exposure to radiation.

“So you can imagine if that object were to be sold and how many deaths it would have caused in the process. We have at least seven cases, but for now, allow me to narrate just these two,” he said.

He said the government has succeeded in increasing the number of licensed individuals by 102 percent, from 297 licenses in 2016/2017 to an average of 767 per year.

Prof Busagala credited these achievements to enhanced regulatory efforts, including regular inspections, the establishment of offices countrywide, and the utilisation of ICT systems.

“We have registered 788 radiation experts qualified to provide radiation services to people and 1,289 specialists in providing radiation services to patients, as well as in the manufacturing, repair, and operation of nuclear equipment, a task that was not undertaken previously," he shared.

Prof Busagala acknowledged a major challenge facing the commission—the lack of sufficient education on atomic issues among the populace.

He emphasised that many people in the country associate nuclear issues with bombs and power generation, highlighting the need for improved public awareness.

“Now, once someone realises that bombs are not relevant and electricity is yet to be generated using nuclear technology, they know that there's no nuclear aspect in the country. So this is the major challenge to us as the commission,” he explained.

However, he expressed the government's continued commitment to promoting the safe use of nuclear technology.

TAEC has undertaken significant efforts to educate citizens on the opportunities available in nuclear science for self-reliant development, with nearly 60 programmes created across various media platforms and exhibitions.

"TAEC has made significant efforts to ensure that citizens understand the opportunities available in the safe use of nuclear science for self-reliant development,” he explained.

In addition, the government has constructed six laboratory and office complexes across five regions, with a total investment of approximately Sh28.11 billion.

Prof Busagala noted that these facilities are situated in the regions of Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mbeya, Mwanza, and Zanzibar.

“The government has continued its efforts to bring services closer to the people by opening these offices,” he noted.

He added that in the past three years, 14 offices have been opened and equipped with the necessary tools, bringing the total to 63 offices nationwide.

“The aim is to bring services closer to the people, thereby boosting the economic activities of the citizens,” he shared.

According to Prof Busagala, the government under TAEC is nearing completion of a scholarship programme for Tanzanian youth to pursue graduate studies in nuclear science and technology abroad.

“The aim of this sponsorship is to increase the number of experts in the country in the field of nuclear science and technology, ensuring that the nation fully benefits from nuclear science opportunities,” he elaborated.

He further added that TAEC has also offered education to around 29 of its staff members, with an additional 32 trained within the last three years.

To further explore opportunities in nuclear science and technology and to protect citizens and the environment from radiation effects, the government has increased research funding for TAEC to Sh450 million in the 2023/2024 fiscal year.

Tanzania is at an advanced stage of uranium exploration and plans to commence mining operations as soon as economic conditions become favourable.