LAGOS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's quest to generate electricity from nuclear sources gained steam on Monday, with the inauguration of a committee to review the legal framework guiding the implementation of the national nuclear power program, the Punch newspaper reported Tuesday.

    Speaking in Abuja, Director-General of Nigeria Atomic Energy Agency Erepamo Osaisai said the existing legal framework was signed into law in 1976, although Nigeria only initiated efforts to utilize nuclear resources to generate electricity in 2006.

    According to him, the 32-year-old legal framework is in dire need of review to make it comprehensive and up-to-date with the challenges of the time.

    He explained that having impressed the International Atomic Energy Agency with its performance on the first phase of the program, Nigeria needed to develop an appropriate legislative framework, which would guide the whole gamut of the country's foray into nuclear power program.

    He said Nigeria was now ready to begin work on the second stage of nuclear power development, which would entail infrastructure and manpower development.

    The director general asked the committee members to review existing law and incorporate specific requirements on the safety of nuclear installations, radiation protection, emergency preparedness, planning, response and transport.