Frequency Of Earth Tremors In FCT Uncomfortable, FG Admits

Federal Government on Tuesday confirmed that the earth tremors
observed in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was
becoming more frequent than expected, describing the development as
uncomfortable.

Earth tremors occurred around Abuja in September and November
2018, creating serious anxiety among inhabitants of the capital
city.

A statement signed by Ishaku Kigbu, Special Assistant to the
minister of Mines and Steel Development, however noted that the
Federal Government has set up an inter-ministerial committee to
fashion out a common front in tackling the challenge of earth
tremors in the country.

According to the statement, the Nigerian Geological Survey
Agency (NGSA) Earthquake Monitoring Command and Control Centre at
Abuja, noted that the government has great interest in the safety
of the citizens.

“It is now very clear that the government of President Muhammadu
Buhari has great interest in the safety of the citizens of this
great nation considering the immediate steps taken, following the
recent Earth tremors around Abuja which occurred in September and
November, 2018.

“The incidents evoked a lot of anxiety, especially among those
living around Mpape and Maitama, but it also accelerated the robust
plan by government to establish the necessary geoscientific
infrastructure to monitor and mitigate all aspects of both natural
and anthropogenic hazards.

“Indeed, the Federal Government has since set up an
inter-ministerial committee to fashion out a common front in
tackling the challenge of earth tremors in Nigeria, which has
become uncomfortably more frequent than expected,” the statement
noted.

It further, noted that the incidents which evoked a lot of
anxiety, especially among those living around Mpape and Maitama,
also accelerated the robust plan by government to establish the
necessary geoscientific infrastructure to monitor and mitigate all
aspects of both natural and anthropogenic hazards.

According to the statement, various stakeholders including the
Ministry of Science and Technology, NEMA, the FCT and University of
Ife Seismic team and the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency among
others had meaningful assessment towards understanding the
mechanism of what the country is faced with in recent times.

It further added that NGSA has designed a six station seismic
monitors to be deployed across the country.

“However, following repeated tremors around Abuja, the initial
programme of national deployment was adjusted to accommodate
seismographic densification of Abuja. A 4-station Abuja network has
therefore been put in place to have a closer and more effective
over sight of the FCT”.

Also, a four-station triangulation network located at the
Nasarawa State University, Keffi, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada
and Veritas University, Bwari and the NGSA command and control
centre at the NGSA HQ, Abuja are being installed.

“Moreover, the Ministry will be conducting an airborne magnetic
survey over Abuja to ascertain in greater detail the fracture
systems that predisposes FCT to tremors,” the statement added.

Federal government also commissioned the NGSA Earthquake
monitoring command and control centre at the Agency’s HQ, Abuja
“while expecting the completion of the other three stations within
a very short time.”