By Meletus EZE
Some stakeholders in the environment sector on Friday urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT) to be ready to prevent and manage earth tremors and natural disasters that may occur in FCT.
The stakeholders gave the advice in reaction to the earth tremor which occurred in Mpape and Maitama districts in Abuja on Thursday.
The FCT Emergency Management Agency reported the incident, also observed by many in the areas.
The National Coordinator, Global Environmental Facility Small Grant Programme (GEF-SGP), Mrs Ibironke Olubamise, said earth tremor that occurred could be a warning to the country.
Olubamise underscored the need for government to plan ahead for such natural disaster to prevent it from happening, where possible or minimise damage that might occur.
“What happened yesterday evening and this morning may be due to few factors. It could be a natural occurrence due to movement under the surface of the earth,” she said.
The National coordinator said that human activities, including indiscriminate blasting of rocks, might be responsible for the tremor.
“This could also be the result of human activities that have been happening for long. This is why planning is imperative. Nigeria has to get ready for disaster whether we like it or not. As far as we have not experienced it, it doesn’t mean that we will not experience it,” she said.
Mr David Michael, an ecologist, also called for an end to indiscriminate blasting of rocks by individuals and mining companies to prevent earth tremors in FCT.
Michael, the Executive Director, Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation, an NGO, said blasting of rocks might shake underground and lead to earth tremors.
“I will say that movement of the earth, at a particular location known for stone blasting and extraction of rocks could be a factor.
“There is need to check the indiscriminate blasting of rocks by companies or individuals without any guidance and regulations.
“These human activities might shake the ground and result in earth tremor. Government needs to check indiscriminate blasting of rocks in these areas,” he said.
