Laboratory construction work to start next month

CONSTRUCTION work on Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s pioneer dosimetry laboratory is expected to start next month, University of Technology (UoT) vice chancellor Dr Ora Renagi says.
The laboratory, a UoT-National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (Nisit) partnership, is to be housed in the university’s applied physics department in Lae, Morobe.
Dr Renagi said a construction company had already been recommended to the National Procurement Commission and approval might be given in two weeks.
He said the equipment had already been bought and shipment was on the way.
“But we need the laboratory in place before the machines arrive,” he said.
He said these machines were bought by the international atomic energy agency (IAEA).
The IAEA, based in Vienna, Austria, partnered with the applied physics department and the Government to deliver training.
“They are focused on ensuring that the country really knows the effects of radiation within the country,” Dr Renagi said.
“There is radiation affecting the lives of people but we don’t have any instrument to measure it.
“These instruments will help us understand how much radiation people are exposed to daily.
“It is an international programme – they have the money and are supporting us to improve our technology.”