Expect More Tremors, Surveyor-Generals Tells Nigerians

By Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

The Surveyor General of the Federation, Mr. Ebisintei Awudu, has said Nigerians should expect more tremors similar to the recent ones that occurred in Kaduna State.

He however noted that the tremors would not be as dangerous as several ones being experienced around the world.

Speaking when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Awudu, who was represented by a Director in his office, Mr. Barde Jatau, said tremors were natural occurrences.

Awudu stated that tremors have occurred in Nigeria way back from 1939 and have been recorded in Oyo, Bayelsa, Rivers and Kaduna States. 

“We are bound to have tremors here and there, but they would not be dangerous in any way,” he told the Toby Okechukwu-led committee yesterday.

“We confirmed that Kwoi (location of the Kaduna tremor) is located at the boundary of three-rock formation, and each time you have that kind of situation, there is bound to be some kinds of movement. We are still collating data, and at the end of the day, we will know what actually happened. We need extra time to be able to finish and know what really happened. Before the end of this year, the report will be ready,” he said.

“We have placed some equipment at the rock there and we’ll go back to observe what really happened. The tremor is not that dangerous because it’s an intra-plate movement,” the surveyor-general added.

Responding to inquiries from the committee as to whether there are signals when such tremors are about to happen, Awudu said no one is exactly sure when tremors are about to occur.

“Strangely, it is only animals that can see the signs of any such occurrence. When they notice it, they run. Animals like goats snakes and the rest see the signs,” he added.