Lomé hosts regional workshop on nuclear security and radioactive threats

Security

Tuesday, 15 March 2022 12:53

Lomé hosts regional workshop on nuclear security and radioactive threats

(Togo First) - Yesterday morning, a regional meeting focused on a strategy to tackle the risks posed by nuclear and other radioactive materials that are not subject to regulatory control was launched in Lomé. The meeting which regroups actors from seven countries will end on Friday, February 18.

Technically backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, the workshop should allow participating countries to have a military regime that takes into account all aspects of nuclear security.

“For sources that are used in the regulatory framework (for example, in hospitals, laboratories) of equipment that are registered and monitored, the security plan is known. But there is equipment or material that we do not know,” said the Chief Medical Officer, Associate Professor of Radiology and IAEA Focal Point in Togo. “This workshop will give us the tools to know how to prepare for possible scenarios involving these materials and equipment that are not listed,” he added.

The event will also include training to identify radioactive materials, interpret scientific data related to them and assess their radioactivity, towards ensuring nuclear and radiological security.

“By nuclear security, we mean those aspects that are related to all incidents, especially bad ones, that can occur while using certain equipment or certain sources of radioactive radiation. (...). Our objective is to be ready to respond when needed, and to prevent such incidents from occurring,” added the IAEA focal point.

According to Col. Djibril Mohaman, representing the Chief of Staff, every country should be concerned by nuclear security, especially with the growing global threat of terrorism.

Besides Togo, other countries participating in the workshop are Benin, Burundi, Comoros, Central African Republic, Congo and Guinea.

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.