Maputo, Mozambique, 4 Nov – The government of Mozambique on Tuesday approved the setting up of a National Atomic Energy Agency to manage protection against radioactive hazards, officials said.

Government spokesman Luis Covane said after a meeting of the Maputo cabinet that the new state agency will have administrate autonomy and its own legal identity.

Maputo signed up to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2006 but its current methods of storing radioactive hospital waste and material from geological soundings “does not satisfy international standards of protection and safety,” added Covane.

Maputo’s membership of the IAEA recognizes the importance of applying nuclear technology to areas with socio-economic development impact, noted the government spokesman, particularly health, mining, environment, farming and livestock breeding. (macauhub)