Earth Tremor, FEMD Sets Up Committee On Preparedness

By: Nkechi Isa

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department has constituted an Ad-hoc Committee on emergency preparedness plan for earth tremors in some parts of the FCT.

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

Mohammed said that the ad-hoc committee is expected to 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.

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

His words: “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”.

On his part, a Water Consultant, Engr. Taiwo Oyekan, said that 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.

Meanwhile, 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.

Abuja Digest reports that FEMD has, however, appealed to residents of the affected areas to stay away from electric poles during the vibrations and evacuate their buildings in the event.

Abuja Digest also reports that FEMD has enjoined the residents to always use the 112 emergency toll free number in the event of any emergency.