– says no cause for alarm
– Scientists disclose cause, warn of probable earthquake
– Saraki, Atiku react, other Nigerians seek divine help
The Director-General, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Mr Alex Nwegbu, has assured Nigerians not to panic over the earth tremor experienced in Mpape district of Abuja.
Nwegbu, who said this at news conference in Abuja on Friday, further assured that there was no cause for alarm.
He said that the agency would keep a close monitoring of the area for the next 48 hours within which arrangement ought to have been concluded for a detailed survey in the area.
According to him, the monitoring involves reflecting seismic and gravity measurement.
Nwegbu said that the agency dispatched a team of geologists and geophysicists, immediately it received the news of a disturbing ground shaking, experienced by the inhabitants of Mapape.
“From the interview we conducted with people and the reconnaissance survey carried out, we found out that the vibration started around 2.30p.m on September 5 which lasted about a second but reoccurred three hours later around 5.30 p.m.
“The vibration was again felt around 8.00 p.m which lasted for 10 seconds,’’ he said.
The Director-General said the survey carried out also showed that there were no cracks on the buildings or on the ground.
He advised that once people notice such earth tremor, they should move out of the house and monitor the progress.
Nwegbu, however, advocated increased funding to enable the agency properly carry out its mandate.
According to him, earthquakes tend to be concentrated in particular zones which coincide with the boundaries of the tectonic plates into which the earth is divided.
The Director-General said that it was erroneous to think that countries or zones not contiguous with plate boundaries were aseismic.
He said that Nigeria is not situated at the plate boundaries and as such the country is not at risk.
He said that the agency recently procured six earth quake monitoring seismograms to enable proper monitoring of all ground disturbances; adding that the process of installations of the seismograms had begun in six geological zones of the country.
According to him, the equipment will enable the agency warn people before hand, in case of any expected earth tremor.
He urged Nigerians to call the following emergency numbers: 08035956056, 08023154825 and 08037000623.
Earth tremor happened around Ijebu-Ode, Gembu in the Mambila Plateau and Ibadan in 1984.
Scientists disclose cause, warn of probable earthquake
Despite Nwegbu’s assurance, some scientists have called on regulatory agencies to check the incessant rock blasting in the country in order to prevent recurrence of earth tremors.
They made the call on Friday in Abuja in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to them, regulatory agencies should come up with rules and regulations that will prevent people from indiscriminate blasting of rocks in order to preserve the environment as well as save lives and property from natural disasters.
As reported by Daily Post, they said persistent and uncontrolled blasting of rocks through the use of powerful explosives could lead to earth movements.
Prof. Mosto Onuoha, the President of Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), said rock blasting may be responsible for the earth movements in Mpape and parts of Maitama, Abuja.
He said: “The use of explosives to break or blast rocks would have vibrating power and ability to the last end of the rock.
“It will get to the stage that could be seen visibly and to the bottom of the ground where we cannot see but where the rock has ended.
“When this action is continuous, the vibration from the rocks blasted with explosives will be transmitted to the body-like water that is already settled under the ground.
“The release of the vibration in form of energy back to the earth will lead to earth-shaking.
“The FCT Emergency Management Agency, National Agency for Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) and other relevant organisations should continue to monitor the situation in Abuja and in other places,’’ he said.
Dr Adeneye Talabi, a former Director of Technology Acquisition and Adaption in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, urged the Federal Government to enforce all existing rules on the exploitation of natural resources.
According to him, government must ensure that due processes are followed to address the earth movements that happened recently in the FCT.
Talabi explained that Nigeria is not immune to such occurrences, adding that appropriate measures ought to be put in place to avert future incidents.
“If there is a tremor, it is an indication or symptom that the eventual higher degree of it which will translate into earthquake can occur.
“Earth tremor is very close to earthquake. The earth tremor is just the shaking of the ground earth crust while earthquake is a total collapse or opening up of the ground,” he said.
He said the tremor recorded in the South-South Zone was as a result of distortion in the balance of the ecosystem during oil extraction.
Talabi said the vacuum created by extracting gas and crude oil ought to be replaced with close density commodity to avoid any future disaster.
“There is a need for the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in particular to enforce all the existing rules guiding exploitation of natural resources like crude oil.
“Regarding the tremor in Bayelsa and Rivers, a vacuum has been created through the exploitation processes and methods,“ he said.
He urged the Federal Government to direct oil companies to ensure best practices in extracting natural resources such as crude oil and natural gas.
Saraki, Atiku react, other Nigerians seek divine help
Following the earth tremor that shook some parts of Abuja at dawn of Friday, many Nigerians reacted to the development, with some seeking divine help.
As reported by Vanguard, while the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar called on the Abuja residents to be calm, those living in Maitama and Utako areas said they all felt the tremor.
The Emergency Management Agency of Nigeria’s Federal capital territory, Abuja, confirmed the reports of the earth tremor in Abuja.
Although the agency said it could have come from the movement of the earth or that it could be by the blasting of rocks or mining in the area, it however urged residents to stay calm and hide under tables if inside the house or stay away from buildings if outdoor.
The Senate President, Dr. Saraki who took to his twitter handle to confirm the development said: “We have all been feeling the earth tremors in Abuja and surrounding areas over the last 48 hours. I know that many people are scared, but please, remain calm and vigilant.”
He also said that: “At this time, it is important that @NEMANigeria, FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and all emergency services be on high alert to prevent the loss of lives and property.
“The Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Dino Melaye, has already briefed the FCT Minister on this issue.
“In the event of an emergency, the FCT Emergency Management Agency can be reached at the following numbers: 112 (toll free), 0818-888-8766 and 0805-722-4574.”
Many other Nigerians reacted to the development in various ways, with other resorting to prayers, begging the Lord not to allow any such natural disaster like earthquakes hit the country already plagued by poverty.
Below are the tweets of some Nigerians who reacted to the news of the tremor in Abuja.
Atiku Abubakar @atiku “I wish to encourage inhabitants of Abuja not to panic following reported cases of tremor experienced in some parts of the city. It will be reassuring to citizens for the relevant authorities to investigate the situation.”
AYO SOGUNROVerified account @ayosogunro “News of tremors in Abuja and fault lines across Nigeria is worrisome. In the midst of our social, political, economic, and religious troubles, we can’t handle an ecological disaster. I strongly urge the govt not to leave this issue to prayer and sentiment. Please research and act.”
Senator Dino Melaye @dino_melaye “I have informed the FCT Minister and Perm Sec. on the scaring earth movement in some parts of Abuja at 6:11am. I felt earth tremors in my home in maitama too. Measures are beeing taken to address the problem. I will keep the FCT administration on their toes on this.”
KinG NomSo @ani_nomso “Father Lord these things going on in Abuja better not be an Earthquake. Nigeria is already blessed with several Natural Disasters in our Politicians. Just look at our Natural Disastrous President to start with & have mercy on Us”
EagleEye @bashiryusuf “Another heavy tremor just occurred at 6.01 a.m. in Maitama, Abuja. Truth is, this seems like a warning for an earthquake. I think the authorities should do some scientific investigation or evacuate residents as a matter of precaution.”
Sim ShagayaVerified account @SimShagaya “Regarding the Abuja tremors. a massive 7.8 earthquake was recorded in Fiji (and several other locations on the pacific rim of fire). When an earthquake happens, echoes of the quake can cause tremors to occur in a location at the opposite end of the globe.”
Heathen Hazard @TheFunnycator “Earthquakes in Abuja, floods in Lagos. If anyone is building an ark please add me to the whatsapp group thanks b.”
Parosident Buhari @TheMbuhari, “The earth tremors in Abuja is the handwork of desperate corrupt people who want me to run back to London because that’s exactly what I’m going to do if I feel this tremor again in Aso Rock.”
NAN/Daily Post/Vanguard
