FCT Emergency Management Agency on Friday assured residents
of the territory that there was no likelihood of earthquake within the territory
and the country, after the earth tremors in Mpappe and its environs on
Thursday.
Residents in the Federal Capital Territory were alarmed by
the sudden shake of the earth in the affected areas which was their first
experience in many years.
The tremor instilled fear in the residents, resulting in
confusion about the cause of the terrific happening around them.
Tremor is an involuntary movement.
The Director-General of the Agency, Mr Abass Idris, had said there no cause for alarm, in an interview with the News Agency of
Nigeria on Friday in Abuja while reacting to distress calls by residents of the
FCT.
According to him, the earth-shaking around Mpape and some
parts of Maitama district does not imply that the FCT and indeed the country is
under the threat of earthquake, saying that the agency is in firm control of
the situation.
“We are urging all residents to calm down and be rest
assured that the abnormal situation would soon stop.”
According to him, the possible cause of the incident may be
due to earth tremor which he explained, is a “sign of seismic movement within
the earth that was caused by a sudden break along a fault line.
“This sudden release of energy makes the ground to shake
which may be caused by stress in underground rocks and may be due to rock
blasting and mining activities in the area.
“When personnel of the agency interacted with residents of
Mpape and its environs, they gathered that this was not the first time the
shaking has occurred but has happened five years ago”.
The DG appealed to the residents of the affected area to
remain calm as the agency was doing all within its powers to bring the
situation under control within the shortest time.
He, however, said that there was a need for residents to
relocate to a safer zone if living in a building during the tremor.
He urged the residents to vacate their houses and take cover
under desks or tables and hold tight until the shaking is over.
He also said that residents should stay away from windows
and objects that were likely to fall and also find a clear spot away from
buildings, trees and power lines.
“If you are in the car, slow down and drive to a clear
place, stay in the car until the shaking stops.”
A resident in Maitama, Mr Victor Okoye who experienced the
tremor, told NAN that he initially thought it was a blast from one of the
quarry sites in Mpape which sometimes happened but found out that it was not
what he initially assumed.
“When I came outside my house, I discovered it was indeed
shaking and a lot of things began to run through my mind as I thought the end
of the world was here.”
Another resident in Mpape, Mrs Alice Adetola, expressed
shock over the incident, adding that the experience terrified her children.
“I held on to my children and began to pray to God for
mercy. I even began to think towards relocating if we make it through the
night.”
Also, Mr John Eson said the prompt response of FEMA to the
area had assured residents that the situation was under control.
According to him, personnel of the agency have been on
ground since the incident, carrying out investigations, survey and research.
