On February 3, 2022, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation Mr. Ferdinand BASHIKAKO proceeded to the opening of the workshop intended for the amendment and validation of the Preliminary Nuclear Bill from February 3 to 4, 2022 at the Source du Nil hotel.
In fact, Mr. Ferdinand BASHIKAKO reminded that Burundi has been a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 2009, and that it began to participate in the Technical Cooperation program effectively around 2014.
In order to meet international standards and requirements relating to the use of ionizing radiation sources, Burundi, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, took the initiative to produce the first version of the nuclear law. This Version was transmitted to the National Legislation Service of the Ministry of Justice for legal grooming.
Thus, the Council of Ministers and the Experts of the European Union Consortium in the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) fields analyzed this Preliminary Bill and also made recommendations.
The Permanent Secretary also reminded that the establishment of the National Nuclear Law is the first step in the process of setting up a legislative and regulatory arsenal relating to the field of nuclear energy and that this law constitutes a cornerstone . Mr. Ferdinand BASHIKAKO did not fail to point out that afterwards, the Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Authority of Burundi (ARSBU) which will make the implementation of this law will be established. It is this same authority, in collaboration with the AIENA Legal Affairs Office, which will draft the texts of the said law, he added.
After this reminder, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ferdinand BASHIKAKO informed that that workshop was organized to deeply analyze, amend and integrate the recommendations formulated by the Council of Ministers and the Experts of the Consortium of the European Union in the present text which will serve for the legislation and regulation of the import, export, use, transport and storage of ionizing radiation equipment and devices.
The participants in this workshop from various sectoral Ministries did their best to do that work during all the time assigned to that workshop. It should be noted that the workshop was characterized by rigorous concentration, the exchange of ideas and speeches with decision-making in common agreement.
