TAEC Works To Tame Illegal Importation Of Radiation Sources -

By STAFF REPORTER, In Dodoma

THE Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) is implementing a robust campaign with an eye to counter and erode incidents of illicit importation of radiation sources into the country.

The timely initiative championed by the country’s atomic energy watch-dog in cooperation with the other like-minded institutions also focuses to stamp out a negative wave of marketing of the atomic radiation-contaminated scrap metal across the country.

Prof. Lazaro Busagala, is the Director General of TAEC, and he unveiled that there has been an increase of unpatriotic waves of unauthorized importation of various radiation sources in the country, the development which puts the national security, as well as the citizens’ health at stake.

So far, he communicated that TAEC has managed to detect and legally deal with a total of 17 incidences of such poor tendencies at the different regions at the country’s borders, which is a grim revelation.

“For instance, in one among the notorious incidents, our intelligent system managed to nab a local citizen in Dar es Salaam who illegally imported more than 9kg of processed Uranium (U238 Uranium, 2.6× 109Bq/g),” he detailed.

He explained, despite having vital socioeconomic benefits, if not handled professionally, atomic radiation can spread negative effects to the human body, including destruction of body cells, serious eye diseases and blindness, loss of manhood, and other environmental destructions.

The TAEC’s chief boss made the revelations when the newly –appointed Tanzania Ambassador in Vienna, Austria, Naimi Hamza Aziz, paid a special visit at the Commission’s Headquarters, mapped at the fringe of the Dodoma Capital City.

And pertaining to the scrap metals, he undescored over the need for the country’s scrap metal supplies and manufactures to seek for the scientific approval from TAEC in order to ensure the metals are free from the destructive radiations.

“It is prudent for the scrap waste metal dealers to seek for our scientific concern and similarly abide by the other set radiation safety protocols, including having their stores at least 500 m away from peoples residents,” he expressed.

He insisted that, if not checked properly, the scrap metal business can bring about major socioeconomic havoc, adde: “ The business incorporate scrap metal crushing and recycling into various products, including building materials thus, in case it happens the metals contain radiations, it may possible leading to radiation exposure,”

In Tanzania, scrap metal has become a popular business currently assisting hundreds and thousands Tanzanians from all walks of life and ages to improve their livelihoods through gathering and marketing the scrap metals at the more than 106 registered companies across the country.

“Despite playing a key role in fueling economic gains and facelifting the country’s environmental status, the scrap metal trade is however having a dangerous reparcation in ite otherwise reality,” he insisted.

To curtail the challenge, he informed that the commission was working round the clock to scientifically inspect all of the country’s radiation sources centres to test the radiation extents and ensuring the public and environment are free from any effect of the rays.

“We’re also working to inspect the imported goods in the human food sector, livestock and fertilizers with an eye to ensure the products are radiation free,” he assured.

During 2021/2022, he communicated, TAEC had managed to increase inspections of imported food products to at least 66,609 inspections, being an increase of 274 percent inspections in comparison to a total of 7,817 inspections conducted during 2016/2017.

For her part, the Tanzania Ambassador in Vienna, Naimi Hamza Aziz, said she will make a sober use of her new position to ensure Tanzania is curving a new niche in the global atomic sector.

With the fact that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is based in Vienna, Austria, envoy Aziz expressed high commitment to heighten Tanzania’s cooperation with the global atomic agency.

“I will work over the possible opportunities to bring about more relevant projects into Tanzania, especially those aligned with the country’s prioritized areas,” the envoy ensured.

Tanzania has been a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 6 January 1976, and through the development the country has been receiving numerous key profits, including technical and facility assistance in implementing a number of projects in the health, agriculture, livestock and energy sectors, to mention but a few.

The Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) is the regulatory body responsible for all atomic energy matters in the United Republic of Tanzania. It was established under the Atomic Energy Act No. 7 of 2003.