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Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been urged to remain calm after a mild earth tremor rattled parts of Abuja, with the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, directing the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) to provide him with hourly updates on the situation.
Alake, who is in Washington, D.C., United States, engaging American investors on joint venture proposals in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, said there was no cause for panic, assuring residents that proactive measures had been put in place to safeguard lives and property.
The directive followed a report from the NGSA that an earth tremor shook several buildings in Abuja on Tuesday, 4 August.
According to the agency, its Seismic Monitoring Station in Utako recorded the tremor at exactly 11:23:27 a.m., noting that it originated from a depth of one kilometre and spread over a distance of four kilometres within five seconds.
The NGSA described the incident as a “light event” of I to II magnitude on the Mercalli scale, explaining that such tremors pose no threat to lives or property.
“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 directed the NGSA to submit hourly reports on seismic developments around Abuja for his review and possible escalation to other relevant government agencies where necessary.
He assured residents that the agency would continue to monitor the situation closely while urging them to go about their normal daily activities without fear or anxiety.
