Kyiv: Chornobyl Shelter Repair To Cost Some $1 Billion

The Chornobyl sarcophagus 31 August 2005 -- Ukrainian officials say the repair of a decaying concrete shelter enclosing the remains of the Chornobyl nuclear power station will cost more than $1.3 billion.

A reactor explosion at the station in April 1986 caused the world's worst civilian nuclear power accident. A Soviet-
built concrete shelter enclosing the radioactive remains is now crumbling and is in need of repair.

David Zhvania, Ukraine's minister of emergency situations, said today the Ukrainian government is expecting
international construction firms to tender for a $1.3 billion contract to overhaul the containment structure.

The estimate is more than $500 million higher than previous estimates on the cost of fixing the shelter.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development -- in cooperation with the Ukrainian government -- announced a tender for a Chornobyl shelter repair project in March.

(dpa)