In a move to end the incessant earth tremor panic experienced among the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and its environs, the federal government yesterday inaugurated an earth tremor detecting machine.

Government noted that the decision to acquire the Seismometer detecting equipment represent the implementation of some aspects of the earth tremor committee’s recommendations.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa Bwari, while launching the equipment in Abuja, stated that the incidents of earth shaking experienced by residents evoked a lot of anxiety, especially among those living around Mpape and Maitama, but it also accelerated the robust plan by government to establish the necessary geo-scientific infrastructure to monitor and mitigate all aspects of both natural and anthropogenic hazards.

According to him, “Indeed, the federal government has since set up an inter-ministerial committee to fashion out a common front in tackling the challenge of earth tremors in Nigeria, which has become uncomfortably more frequent than expected.

“Therefore it is my pleasure to inaugurate the NGSA earthquake monitoring command and control centre at the Agency’s HQ, Abuja while expecting the completion of the other three stations within a very short time.”

The minister, during the launch of the equipment, said: “It is now very clear that the government of President Buhari has great interest in the safety of the citizens of this great country considering the immediate steps taken, following the recent earth tremors around Abuja which occurred in September and November, 2018.

“The various stakeholders here present; the Ministry of Science and Technology, NEMA, the FCT and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Seismic team and the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency among others have all had meaningful contributions towards understanding the mechanism of what we are faced with in recent times.”

Originally, NGSA designed a six station seismic monitors to be deployed across the country.

“However, following repeated tremors around Abuja, the initial programme of national deployment was adjusted to accommodate seismographic densification of Abuja. A 4-station Abuja network has therefore been put in place to have a closer and more effective oversight of the FCT.

“The 4-station triangulation network located at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada and Veritas University, Bwari and the NGSA command and control centre at the NGSA HQ, Abuja are being installed.

“Moreover, the ministry will be conducting an airborne magnetic survey over Abuja to ascertain in greater detail the fracture systems that predisposes FCT to tremors.”

Speaking further, he revealed that the result of the high density seismic configuration cover of Abuja will not only enable NGSA quantify the magnitude of the tremors but will also more accurately locate the epicentre of tremors/earthquakes as well as improve the predictive capacity of our network.

He however, commend Nigerians for being more vigilant about their environment and assure them that government will continue to respond swiftly to assuage their fears.
https://www.miningng.com/mining-fg-inaugurates-earthquake-seismometer-detecting-equipment/

They'd still come here and cry, like our dear ol lonely professor.