Remarks by Ambassador Robert P. Jackson on the Occasion of the Equipment Donation from the United States Department of Energy to the National Radiation Protection Agency (NRPA)

Yaounde April 4th, 2011

Madam Minister of Scientific Research and Technological Innovation, Mr. Director General, Honorable Guests,

Thank you all for having come to this ceremony in such a great number to witness the donation of equipment to the Ministry of Scientific Research and Technological Innovation through the National Radiation Protection Agency (NRPA) of Cameroon.  It is with great pleasure that I return here today after my courtesy call on the Minister last December, shortly after my arrival in Cameroon. 

I am here today to underscore the cooperation between our two governments on the subject of nuclear material security and safety.  The United States Department of Energy (USDOE) donated equipment valued at $136,408 (or about 68 million FCFA) to Cameroon’s National Radiation Protection Agency as part of its Global Threat Reduction Initiative.   Under this program, USDOE assists nations to locate and secure orphan sources of radioactivity.  Several Cameroonian staff members of the NRPA received training in West Africa last year. Today, we hand over the equipment necessary to locate and secure the orphan sources.  The equipment includes radioactive meters, radiation meters, telescopic and various additional probes, tools and spare parts.  I believe this equipment and training will contribute substantially to global security and improve Cameroon’s standing as a secure international partner.

We will continue our broad cooperation in this area.  In addition to the Global Threat Reduction Initiative, the U.S. Department of Energy is implementing the Megaports Initiative.  Worldwide, the program intends to scan more than 50 percent of the global container shipping traffic by 2015.  Cameroon eagerly began participating in this program early this year with a site survey at the Port of Douala.  From there, the U.S. Department of Energy will help construct scanning infrastructure at the Douala Port, donate equipment for secondary and tertiary inspections, and provide substantial training on the use and maintenance of the equipment.

Both these programs are a sign that Cameroon and the U.S. are cooperating to make our shared and complex world a safer place.  We will continue this spirit of collaboration.  I wish to thank Cameroon for making such partnership possible.

Long live the Cameroonian-U.S. cooperation!.

Thank you