House Mandates NEMA To Investigate FCT Tremor

Gloria Essien, Abuja

The House of representatives has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately conduct a comprehensive risk assessment on the reported tremor in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

This was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance by the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, calling for an urgent investigation into the recent earth tremors experienced in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It also urged NEMA to develop immediate safety measures to address the tremors.

Mr Chinda noted that “the FCT, being a symbol of Nigeria’s social integrity, stability, and strength, is of immense national importance.”

He expressed worries over media reports and complaints from residents in various districts who have also experienced similar tremors and vibrations over the past few months.

The Minority Leader emphasised that despite ongoing investigations, there is yet to be any conclusive explanation for these occurrences and highlighted growing fears among residents that these tremors might be precursors to more severe seismic events that could cause significant structural damage to the FCT infrastructure.

Climate related tremors

Mr. Chinda acknowledged that certain regions within the territory have experienced climate-related tremors in the past.

This, he said, underscores the need for proactive measures to prevent potential disasters.”

“The House is deeply concerned about the possible damage to critical infrastructure, including office buildings, roads, and essential public facilities. If these tremors escalate, there is a real risk of loss of life, displacement of residents, and severe economic losses,” Mr. Chinda said.

The House therefore resolved to mandate its Committees on the Federal Capital Territory, Environment, and Emergency Disaster Preparedness to investigate the cause of the tremors and propose necessary legislative actions.

Also, the House has appealed to the Executive arm of the government, to urgently avail grants to Borno state residents who were affected by the flood

The call followed a motion moved by Mr. Amos Magaji.

Also notes: “That the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital suffered extensive damage due to the flooding, making it inoperable and inaccessible to the public and displaced victims in need of tertiary medical care;

” That the renowned Cancer Centre in the facility, which is lauded as one of the largest in the country, was submerged in the flood, thereby damaging all high-end equipment in the centre, while wards at the lower level of the facilities were also severely flooded, including all medical records, administrative records, files, amongst many other things destroyed

” That electricity power supply in the facility has devastatingly collapsed, largely due to precautions taken to avoid electrocution, as transformers and other power sources in the facility were also submerged in the flood.

“That if no urgent intervention is made to address the devastation of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, the people of Borno state are at great risk of succumbing to any disease outbreak resulting from the flooding,” the motion said.

The House urged the Federal Ministry of Health to critically intervene in mitigating the adverse effect of the flood devastation in the hospital.

It also mandated the Federal Ministry of Power to promptly restore electricity power to the hospital and take additional measures to intervene in mitigating the disaster.

The House similarly directs all relevant sectors concerned to ensure the insurance of all medical equipment and infrastructure in Nigerian tertiary hospitals;

It also urged the House Committees on Health Institutions, Power, Renewable Energy, Insurance and Actuaries Matters, and Legislative Compliance to ensure strict compliance.

The House lamented the untold hardships the flood disaster brought upon the people.

In another development, the House has directed relevant security outfits to Wade into the excessiveness of insurgents in Bauchi state.

This followed a motion moved by Mrs Khadijat Bukar at plenary.

She urged the government to create lasting solution to curb insecurity.

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere