By Palma Ileye
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to remain calm following the earth tremor recorded in parts of Abuja, assuring that there was no immediate threat to lives or property.
Alake also directed the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) to provide him with hourly updates on seismic activities in the capital for continuous assessment and possible escalation to relevant government agencies if necessary.
The Minister, who is currently in Washington, D.C., United States, engaging American investors on joint venture opportunities in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, said proactive measures had been put in place to ensure the safety of residents and their property.
The directive followed an alert issued by the NGSA after an earth tremor was recorded on Tuesday, August 4, affecting several buildings in Abuja.
According to the agency, its Seismic Monitoring Station in Utako detected the tremor at 11:23:27 a.m. saying that, the event originated at a depth of one kilometre and propagated over a distance of four kilometres within five seconds.
The NGSA described the incident as a light seismic event, measuring between I and II on the Mercalli Intensity Scale, noting that it poses no significant danger.
“It is a characteristic feature of a surface earth tremor that poses no threat to lives and property, except for the temporary discomfort caused by the shaking and fear of possible destruction,” the agency stated.
Alake reassured residents that the NGSA would continue close monitoring of seismic activities and advised the public to continue their normal daily activities without fear or panic.
