By Sarah NEGEDU
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has set up an adhoc committee on emergency preparedness plan for earth tremors in some parts of the FCT.
This is coming after the recent earth vibrations felt in parts of Mpape, Katampe and Maitama areas of the nation’s capital.
The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, which confirmed the earth tremors, described it as low and posing no threat.
However, the acting Director General of the FCT Emergency Management Department, FEMD, Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, after a meeting with stakeholders on Wednesday, stated that the ad hoc committee would sensitize residents on what to do during and after the tremor.
He assured residents that the earth tremor which first occured on Saturday at Mpape, exhibited no physical evidence of rock movement.
The Deputy Director, Solid Minerals, FCTA, Ulom Ifop, explained that 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.
On his part, a water consultant, Engr Taiwo Oyekan, noted 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.
In the meantime, FEMD has appealed to residents of the affected areas to evacuate their buildings in the event of a vibration, while staying away from electric poles during the vibrations.
