Earth tremor: Hydrologists allay fears of earthquakes

The Association of Hydrologists in Nigeria has dismissed the claim that the two recent earth tremors in Abuja could trigger earthquakes in the Federal Capital Territory and other states. National President of the Association, Professor Ehidiamhen  Charles Olumese, told journalists on the sidelines of the International Conference of the association in Minna on Tuesday that […]

The Association of Hydrologists in Nigeria has dismissed the claim that the two recent earth tremors in Abuja could trigger earthquakes in the Federal Capital Territory and other states.

National President of the Association, Professor Ehidiamhen  Charles Olumese, told journalists on the sidelines of the International Conference of the association in Minna on Tuesday that the claim of the possibility of earthquakes especially by government officials as a result of the tremors was attention-seeking.

He said the “doomsday” prediction was not an outcome of deep scientific research, adding that those who came up with the postulations were not hydrologists who have the capacity and competence to arrive at such conclusion.

He said the incidents were mere earth movements which are normal occurrences.

“These incidents are minor they are not cause for concern, there should be no cause for alarm,” he noted.

He attributed the incidents to human activities saying “so many constructions are going on in Abuja; so many mining is going on; if I use dynamite, that blasting can cause accentuation, the tremors are not destructive”.

He said the government did not consult the association before raising the unnecessary alarm, adding that government is been made to spend money unnecessarily.

He said there had been similar incidents in Kaduna, Paiko in Niger state and Ijebu Ode in Ogun state in recent past adding that since then nothing had happened in these areas.

Prof. Olumese also accused the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) for doing business for pecuniary benefits, alleging that most of the “pure water they approve for consumption are not pure”.

He blamed the federal and state governments for the proliferation of pure water factories and borehole drilling companies because “if government provides water, you don’t need a bore hole”.