Zambia, Research hold Nuclear Research Centre talks

BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes
@SunZambian
OFFICIALS from Russia and Zambia are expected to hold a videoconference this month to discuss the ongoing project to
build a nuclear research center in the country.
The videoconference is scheduled for September that will discuss the roadmap, Zambia’s ambassador to Russia, Shadreck
Luwita, told Sputnik on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Secretariat’s presentation in Moscow on Wednesday
this week.
Citing the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Luwita said he was hoping that progress would be made on the
project in the coming months.
“Because of the lockdown, the project was suspended, so now the project is going to be reviewed, so that we hear a revised
roadmap on how the project is going to be implemented.
“The videoconference is scheduled for September that will discuss the roadmap, that is when we will have a clear picture as to
when the official visits can commence from both sides,” he said.
Mr Luwita said now as the economies were being opened up, he was looking forward to the implementation of the project for
nuclear center technology which was supposed to be implemented in Zambia.
“Our bilateral engagements have been disturbed. So I hope in September we will be able to hear some concrete steps from the
Russian government how this project is going to proceed,” he said.
Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear agency, and the Zambian government signed a contract in May 2018 for the construction of a
Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST) in the African country.
A similar agreement was concluded with the Rwandan government for the establishment of a CNST, and Rosatom has also
concluded multiple cooperation deals with other African nations.
CNSTs consist of a research reactor and laboratory complex, and may also include an irradiation center and facilities for the
study of nuclear medicine.