An IAEA advisory mission to Benin welcomed the country’s commitment to radiation safety and assisted in the development of an action plan that will support the country in the establishment of a legal and regulatory framework for radiation safety.

The 6-9 March 2018 mission was the third conducted this year as part of a project to support African states in regulatory infrastructure development.

The team of IAEA and experts from France and Algeria looked at the country’s control of radiation sources and its arrangements for individual dosimetry of exposed workers and calibration of measuring devices.

They also met with the Health Minister, the Secretary General of the Government, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other officials.

Team leader Ahmad Al Khatibeh, Advisor in the IAEA’s Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety Division, welcomed the authorities’ commitment to nuclear and radiation safety and the establishment of an authority for its regulation.

“Once a regulatory body has been established, the IAEA will assist in building the staff’s capacity to effectively regulate safety,” he said.

The advisory team supported the management and staff from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Ministry of Environment and the University of Benin, in the creation of an action plan that will aid the country in developing a legal and regulatory framework for radiation safety.

The plan is based on the IAEA safety standards, in particular Governmental, Legal and Regulatory Framework for Safety (GSR Part 1) and Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources (GSR Part 3).

The project includes 16 African countries. Swaziland and Mozambique hosted advisory missions earlier this year.