FCT sets up ad-hoc committee on tremors preparedness

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department says it has set up an ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Preparedness to sensitise residents on what to do during and after the tremors.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, on Wednesday, following a meeting with stakeholders on recent vibrations in some parts of Mpape, Katampe and Maitama.

Residents in Mpape and surrounding communities have been in panic following recurrent tremors experienced in the area within the last three days.

Earlier in the day, the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency had urged residents not to panic, noting that the tremors were low and posed no threats.

According to the statement, the Acting Director General of the FEMD, Abdulrahman Mohammed, stated that the tremors experienced in the area “exhibited no physical evidence of rock movement.”

“An ad-hoc Committee on emergency preparedness plan for earth tremors in some parts of the 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.

“Engr Abdulrahman informed that the ad hoc committee would sensitize residents on what to do during and after the tremor. According to him, the earth tremor which first occurred on Saturday at Mpape exhibited no physical evidence of rock movement,” the statement read in part.

In his remark, the Deputy Director, Solid Minerals, FCTA, Ulom Luke Ifop, explained that fault lines under the ground placed stress on the rocks, causing the tremors, adding that the tremors will continue.

“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 the statement, a water consultant, 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.

“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. In the meantime, FEMD has 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 statement further read.