South Africa risks nuclear disaster similar to Fukushima, Greenpeace
Johannesburg, 29 Feb - (ANA) - Environmental campaign group, Greenpeace, has said that the Fukushima nuclear disaster on tbe east coast of Japan was not a natural disaster but tbe failures of the government, regulators and the nuclear industry.
In a report, Greenpeace said the key conclusion to be drawn from is that this human-made nuclear disaster could be repeated at any nuclear plant in the world. South Africa should reassess its nuclear expansion plans learning the lessons from the institutional failures that caused the Fukushima accident, such as political influence and regulatory challenges.
Greenpeace is urging the South African Government to abandon its nuclear expansion plans in favour of a strong push to energy efficiency and renewable power saying many of the institutional failures that caused Fukushima can easily be repeated in South Africa. With thelack of emergency preparedness and accountability, as well as strong linkages between the nuclear industry, the government and the regulator that needs to safeguard the public, Greenpeace said.(ANA)
FA/ANA/29 February 2012-------