Experts have dispelled the possibility of an earthquake occurring in Nigeria. Following the earth tremor that lasted three days in Mpape, an Abuja suburb, residents have been apprehensive with some Mpape residents relocating to other places in the city.

The tremor which also occurred in other locations in the nation’s capital has compelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello to suspend quarrying, mining and borehole drilling in Mpape, Gwarimpa and Garki.

The minister, represented by the FCT permanent secretary, Chinyeaka Ohaa assured residents that there was no cause for alarm, noting that geologists have said that Abuja was not on the line of any major seismic danger.

He said the tremor, from preliminary investigations, might have been caused by the rock blasting from quarrying, mining activities and the proliferation of borehole drilling activities in the area.

A resident, Stephen Olawuyi described the suspension as a good development adding that it would help the government in properly investigating the issue.

Also, Professor Shuaib Hassan of the Department of Geography, University of Abuja, said Abuja is a stable place but then human activities could trigger the tremor.

“Numerous boreholes drilling and rock blasting and mining activities normally make the ground to vibrate,” he said adding that most mining activities are considered illegal because of the dynamite used in rock blasting.

“We don’t have earthquake around here, we can’t have it,” he said.

•Excerpted from a Daily Trust report