Abuja Earth Tremor: Committee Established To Prevent Future Disasters

Abuja Earth Tremor: Committee Established To Prevent Future Disasters

An Ad hoc Committee on emergency preparedness plan for earth tremors in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been constituted.

The Ag Director General of the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed announced this after a meeting with stakeholders on recent vibrations in some parts of  Mpape, Katampe and Maitama.

Mohammed said the ad hoc committee would sensitize residents on what to do during and after the tremor.

According to him, the earth tremor which first occured on Saturday at Mpape exhibited no physical evidence of rock movement.

Deputy Director ,Solid Minerals, FCTA, Ulom Luke Ifop said the fault lines under the ground place stress on the rocks causing tremors.

“This thing which has started will continue. There is a seismic substation at Toro and at Katampe Hill. We need a substation at Area 11, Asokoro and Maitama,” he said.

According to a statement on Wednesday by the Head Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, a water consultant, Engr Taiwo Oyekan said human activities may have caused friction on the edges leading to the tremors.

Oyekan, who stated that there must be a blast threshold by quarry companies, suggested that all rock blasting in the area must be put on hold for now.

The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, ( NGSA) has confirmed earth tremors in some parts of the FCT urging residents not to panic.

The NGSA described the tremors as low and posing no threat.

FEMD has also appealed to residents of the affected areas to evacuate their buildings in the event of a vibration.

FEMD appealed to residents to stay away from electric poles during the vibrations.

The Ag DG appealed to residents to always use the 112 emergency toll free number in the event of an emergency.