LINDA SOKO TEMBO writes
@SunZambian
THE Zambia Center for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST) Research Centre being built in Chongwe District, in Lusaka Province, would introduce new technology in the nation and help improve the country’s economy, head of Zambia Atomic Energy Corporation (ZAMATOM), Roland Msiska, has said.
Dr Msiska said the CNST would completely transform Zambia’s technological scope with its research reactor, nuclear medicine center, multiple purpose irradiation center and high-class multiple laboratories.
He said the facility, once completed, would create about opportunities for 12,000 direct jobs for researchers and 120,000 support staff.
He said the construction of the CNST, to be funded by government, take about five years and is expected to be commissioning in 2025.
Dr. Msiska also dispelled the assertion that the construction of the nuclear research centre in Chongwe would pose a danger to people saying its operations would be secure and that measures would be put in place to ensure the people are safeguarded.
“Chongwe district will not be producing atomic bombs but a research center for nuclear science and technology. Soil sampling has already been done to check if it is good to setup the facility there,” he said.
“The good news is that that the soil is fine. We do not want to put the machines where they would sink and get damaged. This project is expected to operate for the next 60 years,” Dr Msiska said.
He said the facility would transform the overall economy of Zambia and that the challenges the country faced to try and diversify the economy would work well because they would have access to markets in other countries.
“A number of sectors, like agriculture, health, mines, education and others would also benefit,” Dr Msiska said.
