For
so long we have been told or made to believe that Nigeria is far out of reach
of the seismic region. To so many of us we may never have witnessed an earth
tremor (a small earthquake of low intensity resulting from underground movement
along a fault plane from volcanic activity). Except for imaginary Hollywood
blockbuster movies which may readily come to our sub-consciousness, I doubt if
any one will ever wish to feel the devastating impact of an earthquake.
Recently
the make believe syndrome of a safe-haven Nigeria devoid of seismic waves has
been blown away by the wind of reality. Persistent earth tremors in Nigeria in
recent times have come to stay. All appropriate agencies of the three tiers of
government must be ready to face the unforeseen earthquake phenomenon in no too
distant future. The national president (Building Collapse Prevention Guild),
Kunle Awobodu few months ago revealed that through a geophysical and geological
study, a fault zone that connects with the Atlantic fracture exists along
Ifewara in Osun state and Zungeru in Niger state. Could this be the reasons why areas such as
Saki and neighboring towns in Oyo state, some communities which comprises of akenfa,
akinma, igbogene in Bayelsa state and Ikara L.G.A in Kaduna state have been witnessing
tremor in recent times.? It has been widely reported via various print media
that another earth tremor struck Koi town in Jaba local government area of
Kaduna state on 11th September, 2016, though no life was lost. Isn’t
this enough reason to stir appropriate organs of government to carry out
research and investigation on Awobodu’s assertion?
The
report of Dr.Adepelumi.A.Abraham, a geologist in the department of geology of
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife titled “PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF EARTH
TREMOR OCCURRENCE IN SHAKI AREA, SHAKI WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN OYO STATE”
dated 9th June, 2016 addressed to the Speaker of the green chamber
by the member representing Saki-West/Saki-East and Atisbi LGA of Oyo state. Has
it been thoroughly examined by the national assembly for necessary
implementation or thrown into the dust bin as a matter of no significant
importance? It is noteworthy that Abraham’s assertion in his report of a
possible earthquake before 2020 with a risk of 91.1percent is a revelation
which must put us as Nigerians at the edge of our seat.
How
equipped is the Centre for geodesy and geodynamics (CGG) situated in Toro,
Nigeria and in coordination with the 4 seismographic network stations located
in Kaduna, Nsukka, Ile-Ife and Awka ? Reports have it that the 4 network
stations are equipped with a 24-bit-4channel recorders and broadband 30-seconds
seismometers. The salient question that needs answer is if a seismographic
station exists in Kaduna state with modern facilities, why couldn’t officials
of the network station be able to inform the citizens of Kaduna state and its environs
of an impending tremor? Same for seismographic network station in Ile-Ife which
could not detect the warning signs of tremor in Saki, Oyo state. Earth tremor
don’t just occur, there would have been movement and vibration underground for
so long.
The
need for collaboration between the National Earthquake Information Centre (NEIC)
located in Colorado, USA and Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics (CGG) with the
4 operational seismographic stations in Nigeria is important for real time
updates. One of the primary duties of NEIC is to determine as rapidly and as
accurately as possible, the location, size of all significant earthquakes that
occurs worldwide, it also disseminates this information immediately to
concerned national and international agencies. Early detection is crucial as it
will be the saving grace if there is a massive earthquake to prepare us to
reduce the loss to the barest minimum possible. Again if the Nigerian
government is not satisfied with the research and report of Dr.Abraham on
Saki’s earth tremor, it could be submitted to NEIC which also serves as a
National data center and archive for earthquake information where further
research could be conducted. In all appropriate policies would be recommended
to the Nigerian government for implementation.
How
prepared is our emergency relief agencies if peradventure Nigeria is hit by an
earthquake which I pray God forbids? What will be the average response time?
How will the necessary personnel cope during such daunting responsibilities?
What orientation do we have as Nigerians concerning earth tremor and
earthquake? There are so many questions begging to be answered. In all
superintending organs of government should be prepared by simulating earthquake
like situations to train those who needs to be trained. Finally I am not a
prophet of doom but a patriotic Nigerian worried about the ever changing course
of nature. No one will have ever imagined that terrorism and kidnapping will be
the order of the day in Nigeria 30 years ago but today it is an ugly menace we
were never prepared for. GOD BLESS NIGERIAN MY COUNTRY.
Babafemi.O.SAMUEL
Ijebu-ode.
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