‘No threat’: Alake urges calm as Abuja experiences earth tremor

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been urged to remain calm and continue their normal activities following Tuesday’s earth tremor in parts of Abuja, as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, assured that there is no immediate threat to lives and property.

The minister also directed the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) to provide him with hourly updates on seismic activities around the nation’s capital for continuous assessment and, where necessary, escalation to relevant government agencies.

The directive was contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Lara Owoeye-Wise, on Wednesday.

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Alake, who is currently in Washington, D.C., United States, engaging American investors on joint venture proposals in the solid minerals sector, said proactive measures had already been put in place to safeguard residents and critical infrastructure.

His reaction followed an alert from the NGSA that an earth tremor was recorded in Abuja on Tuesday, August 4, affecting several buildings across parts of the city.

According to the agency, its Seismic Monitoring Station in Utako detected the tremor at exactly 11:23:27 a.m. The event originated at a depth of one kilometre and propagated over a distance of four kilometres within five seconds.

The NGSA classified the incident as a light seismic event, measuring between I and II on the Mercalli Intensity Scale.

Describing the tremor, the agency said it was “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.”

Alake assured residents that the NGSA would continue to closely monitor seismic developments and keep the government informed, while reiterating his appeal for the public to go about their lawful activities without fear or anxiety.