THE Federal Government has activated enhanced seismic monitoring following an earth tremor that shook parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
News Point Nigeria reports that the tremor was recorded by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) on Tuesday, prompting the government to intensify surveillance of seismic activities around the nation’s capital.
Reacting to the incident, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, directed the NGSA to provide hourly updates on seismic developments in and around the FCT.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise, Alake urged residents to remain calm and continue with their normal activities without fear or anxiety.
He said the NGSA had also been directed to intensify surveillance of seismic activities in and around the Federal Capital Territory and submit regular reports for continuous assessment and possible escalation to other relevant government agencies where necessary.
According to the statement, the NGSA’s seismic monitoring station in Utako detected the tremor at exactly 11:23:27 a.m. on Tuesday.
The agency explained that the earth movement originated from a depth of one kilometre and travelled four kilometres within five seconds.
It classified the incident as “a light event of I to II magnitude on the Mercalli scale,” noting that the tremor was too weak to cause any structural damage.
“This is a characteristic feature of a surface earth tremor that poses no threat to lives and properties except for the discomfort of the shake and fear of possible destruction,” the agency stated.
Alake, who is currently engaging investors in Washington, D.C., United States, on joint venture proposals in the solid minerals sector, said proactive measures had already been put in place to safeguard residents and public property.
The minister assured residents that the Federal Government would continue to closely monitor the situation, with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency expected to provide regular updates on any fresh seismic activity in and around the Federal Capital Territory.
