Earth Tremor: FCT Emergency Department constitutes preparedness committee

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), has constituted an ad-hoc committee on emergency preparedness plan for earth tremor in some parts of the FCT.

The Director, Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday, after a meeting with stakeholders over the earth tremor in parts of Mpape, Katampe and Maitama on Saturday.

Mohammed outlined the committee’s plan to conduct public awareness campaigns, informing residents of essential safety measures and emergency procedures to follow in the event of a tremor in their communities.

He appealed to residents of the affected areas to evacuate their buildings in the event of a vibration and urged them to stay away from electric poles during tremors.

The director further appealed to residents to always use the 112 emergency toll-free number in the event of an emergency.

Also, Mr Ulom Ifop, Deputy Director, Solid Minerals, FCT Administration, explained that the tremor was caused by a fault line under the ground, which places stress on the rocks.

Ifop, who expressed concern that the incidents may continue, stressed the need for a seismic substation at Toro and at Katampe Hill.

“We equally need a substation at Area 11, Asokoro and Maitama,” he added.

Similarly, a water consultant, Mr Taiwo Oyekan, blamed the development on human activities, which caused a friction on the edges of the rocks, leading to the tremor.

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

The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, who confirmed the Saturday’s vibration as earth tremor, has urged residents not to panic.

The agency explained that the tremor was low, and thereby, posed no threat. (NAN)