Reps take action on Abuja earth tremors

The Nigerian House of Representatives has swiftly responded to the recent earth tremors in Abuja, directing the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assess potential hazards and develop immediate safety measures.

This move follows House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda’s urgent motion on Wednesday, calling for an investigation into the unusual seismic activities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Chinda expressed concerns about the lack of conclusive explanations for the tremors, citing media reports and resident complaints from areas like Mpape.

He emphasized the FCT’s importance as a symbol of Nigeria’s social integrity, stability, and strength, and highlighted growing fears among residents that these tremors could be precursors to more severe seismic events.

Key Concerns:

Potential Damage to Infrastructure: The House is concerned about possible damage to critical infrastructure, including office buildings, roads, and essential public facilities, which could lead to loss of life, displacement of residents, and severe economic losses.

Lack of Conclusive Explanations: Despite ongoing investigations, there is yet to be a conclusive explanation for the tremors.

Proactive Measures: The need for proactive measures to prevent potential disasters, especially in regions with past climate-related tremors.

To address these concerns, the House has mandated its Committees on the Federal Capital Territory, Environment, and Emergency Disaster Preparedness to:

Investigate the cause of the tremors

Propose necessary legislative actions

Meanwhile, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake has reassured residents that the earth tremors are caused by “accumulated stress” and pose a low threat.

The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) is also monitoring the situation and has advised residents not to panic.