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5.7: THE BOTSWANA STATE SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTING FOR AND CONTROL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS. Thapelo Otukile - BOT. Area = 573,000 km² Location = Landlocked South & Southeast = RSA Northeast = Zimbabwe North = Zambia West = Namibia Population = Approx 1.8 million
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5.7: THE BOTSWANA STATE SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTING FORAND CONTROL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS Thapelo Otukile - BOT
Area = 573,000 km² Location = Landlocked South & Southeast = RSA Northeast = Zimbabwe North = Zambia West = Namibia Population = Approx 1.8 million 1966 Botswana declared its independence from Great Britain. Government = Multi-party democracy Economy = Stable INTRODUCTION
REQUIREMENT FOR APPLICATION OF SAFEGUARDS • In terms of the Safeguards Agreement INFCIRC/153 ‘…the state shall establish and maintain a system for accounting and control of all nuclear material subject to safeguards under the agreement…’
LEGAL COMMITMENT • Botswana became a party to the Treaty on the Non – proliferation of Nuclear Weapons on the 28 April 1969 • In 2006 the parliament passed Radiation Protection Act • Prescribes powers and functions • Administrative and technical requirements governing radiation protection and waste safety
Political Commitment • In august 2006, Agreement between the Government of the Botswana and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in connection with the Treaty on the Non – proliferation of Nuclear Weapons • Protocol additional to application of safeguards in connection with NPT was in force as of 24 august 2006. • Full support of Minister and Permanent Secretary
Establishment of SSAC • Entrusted to Department of Radiation Protection (Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology) • Formed in 2008 by Act of Parliament • The full competence of DRP is inherently in the Law, to maintain relations with International Atomic Energy Agency on matter relating to development and safe use of atomic energy
SSAC AUTHORITY • Inspectorate: • Maintains Import /export control • licensing practices & sources • Ensure Inspector access to facilities • Ensure appropriate recordkeeping by facilities and national authorities • Provide appropriate AP reporting • Ensure prompt notification of responsible stakeholders in the event of losses, unauthorized use or movement of material
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF DRP • Usually one member of the Department staff supervises accounting administration and various aspects of safeguards implementation in the country • There are two other persons in the Department dealing with the export import control, physical protection, illicit trafficking and other nuclear material control related questions.
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF INSPECTORS • Enter at any time to inspect/examine or search any premises vehicles/vessels • Enforce conditions of authorisations • Seize any material found to contravene provisions of the act • Require production of any license or permit authorising use or import, as the case maybe, of any radioactive material • May conduct or cause to be conducted any investigations tests or examinations on any incident related to radioactive materials • Serving as the point of contact in implementing safeguards agreements concluded with the IAEA
SSAC INFORMATION SYSTEM • The need for a computer based Information System was obvious from the first steps of the introduction of the SSAC in Botswana • Regulatory Authority Information system program was provided by IAEA to maintain inventory of all material in the country
ENSURING COMPLIANCE • In order to ensure effective SSAC in our country, the guidance procedures on how to deter and detect of any theft or misuse of nuclear material or illegal transport of radioactive which may cross our borders are in place. • Botswana has agreed on the nominated IAEA inspectors under complementary access provision to allow the IAEA conduct routine/ad hoc inspections
SSAC AT THE FACILITY LEVEL • Ensure appointment of legal person in facility • Having a small number of personnel at the state level, it is essential to have well trained facility operator. The training courses, workshops in the accounting and safeguards area offered by the IAEA are available both for the state and facility responsible personnel.
CO-OPERATION & CO-ORDINATION WITH STATE SECURITY AGENCIES • Custom Officers at Ports of Entry • Botswana Police Service • Botswana police forensic services
IAEA ASSISTANCE • Continuous consultation process in declarations; • National, Regional and International Seminars/Training Courses. • Drafting of the relevant agreements and Acts. • These consolidated and guided Botswana to prepare and submit and initial report. • Brought to attention of authorities in Botswana considering SQP
TRAINING ASSISTANCE • Hosted regional technical meeting on additional protocol implementation 8 – 12 October 2007, Gaborone • Attended Regional Training Course On State Systems Of Accounting For Control Of Nuclear Material, Windhoek, Namibia • Training of customs/police officers
LESSONS LEARNT • Establish effective regulatory infrastructure • Establish reporting and verification levels • Set out clear duties at different levels of SSAC • Training of staff to ensure continuity • Development of import/export control • Identification of Customers and Stakeholders