The House of Representatives has swiftly responded to the recent earth tremors in Abuja, directing the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to conduct a thorough assessment of potential hazards and develop immediate safety measures to safeguard citizens from harm.
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 concern over the tremors’ unclear causes, citing alarming media reports and complaints from residents in areas like Mpape, where vibrations persisted for three days.
He stressed the FCT’s significance as a symbol of Nigeria’s unity, stability, and resilience, warning that these tremors could potentially precede more destructive seismic events.
The House is concerned that severe damage to critical infrastructure, including office buildings, roads, and essential public facilities, could result in fatalities, resident displacement, and catastrophic economic losses.
It is also alarmed by the lingering uncertainty surrounding the tremors, as ongoing investigations have yet to provide a conclusive explanation for the seismic activity.
To mitigate potential disasters, the House advocated proactive measures, particularly in regions with a history of climate-related tremors.
To address growing concerns, the House mandated its FCT, Environment, and Emergency Disaster Preparedness Committees to thoroughly investigate the cause of the tremors and propose necessary legislative actions to prevent potential disasters.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, has calmed fears over the recent earth tremors, attributing them to “accumulated stress” along identified faults, which pose a very low threat to residents.
The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) is also monitoring the situation and has advised residents not to panic.
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