下面是4月20日VOA慢速听力的英文原文,供考生参考。
Hello, and welcome to As It Is from VOA Learning English!
Im Christopher Cruise in Washington.
Today we report on South Africas nuclear activities.
South Africa is involved in nuclear research, nuclear power generation for the last 27 to 30 years.
And we look at plans by another African country to develop nuclear power...
Nigeria is on course on its, in its plans to have nuclear power.
Nuclear development in South Africa and plans to bring nuclear power to Nigeria: those are our subjects today on As It Is.
South Africa Leads Continent in Nuclear Development
South Africa is the only nuclear power in Africa. In the 1990s, South Africa became the first country to voluntarily give up its nuclear weapons. The government then promised to be completely open about its nuclear activities, which include research and power production.
Today, we look at what South Africa can teach the continent about nuclear technology.
South Africa is the strongest economy in Africa. Most homes are connected to electric power lines. But the government estimates that about three million South Africans live without electric power. So the government plans to build more nuclear reactors to provide electricity to the countrys growing population.
Dikobe Ben Martins is the South African Minister of Energy.
South Africa has the requisite expertise to embark on further nuclear programs.
South Africa is the only African nation south of the Sahara Desert to possess a strong nuclear power and research system.
Wolsey Barnard is the Deputy Director-General of Energy Programs and Projects at South Africas Department of Energy.
South Africa is involved in nuclear research, nuclear power generation for the last 27 to 30 years. So its nothing new to us. And currently five percent of our electricity is generated by means of two generators that situate with Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, and we also have some nuclear facilities which is used extensively for medical research purposes, and also isotopes for medical purposes.
South African companies say they have the expertise and desire to develop nuclear technology.
Jabulile Tlhako helps lead a business called Murray Roberts. It builds nuclear power centers. She says nuclear energy is the only probable solution to South Africas energy challenges.
Nuclear energy is safe, it is reliable and its affordable. Its a form of energy that is affordable and its safe and we have to go through that route because now the energy industry in South Africa is threatened.
The population of African cities continues to expand. South African officials say the countrys nuclear knowledge may help bring the continent into the modern world.
Nigeria Plans to Build Nuclear Power Centers
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan recently announced that his country plans to use nuclear energy for development purposes. But some observers say Nigeria should first learn how to use its own natural resources before building a nuclear power center.
Nigerias President Goodluck Jonathan
Nigerians first began talking about nuclear power in 2007. That was when then-President Umaru YarAdua said the country planned to add nuclear energy to the nations electric power grid by 2017.
It does not appear the country will meet that goal, although officials say the plan to develop nuclear power has yet to be cancelled. Eli Jidere Bala is the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria.
Nigeria is on course on its, in its plans to have nuclear power that is used of nuclear energy for peaceful use. And one of the things weve done is to have the institutional framework in place.
Mr. Bala says Nigeria has established research centers and is working with the International Atomic Energy Association.
We are planning between 1,000 megawatts and 2,000 megawatts for the first instance before, very shortly. I know it takes time to plan nuclear -- you must plan. It takes about eight years for planning and etcetera and etcetera. So we are targeting at 1,000 to 2,000 megawatts.
Nigeria currently produces just 4,000 megawatts of electricity. That means about half of the countrys 160 million people have no electricity at all. And most others only have it for a few hours a day.
Wole Olaoye has been reporting on Nigerias power industry for almost 40 years. He says since Nigeria became a democracy in 1999, every president has promised to provide electricity to everyone. But the promises were never kept.
President Jonathan promised us, Oh, in 18 months he would do it. Then it became 24 months. Then it became 36 months. Then it became 2013. Then it became 2014. And now they are saying 2015.
He adds that even if the governments plan to add nuclear power is successful, he does not think it is a good idea. He says Nigeria already has enough oil and other resources to provide enough power for everyone. But he says the power industry has problems because of corrupt officials and bad management. He says the country may have the expertise to develop nuclear reactors, but it does not have the ability to operate them safely.
We have security problems in, in Nigeria now, right now. And I dont want to think of a situation where we will manage the fallout of a nuclear leakage. With the level of incompetence with which we have treated our hydro-power stations, I dont see us managing nuclear power competently and efficiently.
Boko Haram militants have been fighting the Nigerian government since 2009. Mr. Olaoye says it could be dangerous for his country to add anything that might be turned into a weapon of mass destruction.
Boko Haram fighters
Other observers support President Jonathans plan. They say nuclear energy can also be used for medical purposes, to make drinkable water from seawater and for space programs. They note that the issue of nuclear energy can create strong emotions among anti-nuclear activists and power industry representatives. But they say the Nigerian leader would not raise the issue if he was not serious.
And thats our program for today. It was written in Special English from reports by Anita Powell in Johannesburg and Heather Murdock in Abuja.
Every day on As It Is we report on issues that we believe are of interest to you as we help you learn to read, write, speak and understand everyday American English.
We present a new As It Is every day at zero hour 30 Universal Time , with many rebroadcasts throughout the day.
Our story on South Africas plans to expand its use of nuclear power came from a VOA television report. You can see that report on our website.
Im Christopher Cruise reporting from VOA Learning English headquarters in Washington.
Jim Tedder will be here tomorrow with another edition of As It Is. I hope youll join him then, here on The Voice of America.
上一篇: 英语四级短文听力备考的策略之一
体坛英语资讯:Beijing National Stadium designers win award
体坛英语资讯:No Yao? No problem for Rockets
2017专八:高频词汇(2)
乳腺癌与上夜班有关吗
体坛英语资讯:Beijing Olympic flame reaches India
博科娃总干事2016年国际普遍获取信息日致辞
2017考研:英语高频短语
如果一家餐厅有这些迹象,千万别去吃!
国际英语资讯:More Chinese cities to move to tame housing price rise: report
体坛英语资讯:Beijing Olympic flame arrives in Pakistani capital
体坛英语资讯:Route of Beijing Olympic torch relay in Dar es Salaam confirmed
需要省略介词的地方
2017专八:高频词汇(3)
教你读书不忘的小tip
国际英语资讯:Pneumonia cases in hospitals more deadly than heart attacks: experts
复杂的英国贵族制
体坛英语资讯:One injured on second day of Argentine soccer violence
体坛英语资讯:Adriano may sit out Sundays game
体坛英语资讯:Liu feels for Yao but denies extra pressure
为什么身体走形之后想还原这么难?
圈粉无数的资讯播报者
2017专八:高频词汇(4)
体坛资讯:76ers impressed by 6-foot-11 Yi
常见的英语修辞
体坛英语资讯:Liu advances, shock exit for Robles
体坛英语资讯:Federer, Davydenko make Estoril tennis semifinals
体坛英语资讯:Serena brushes Schnyder aside for Bangalore Open title
国内英语资讯:Spotlight: China-Europe forum opens in Athens for better East-West cultural understanding
体坛英语资讯:Barcas title hopes dented
to的含义