NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.
By PHILIP YATAI
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)