NEMA Inaugurates Seismic Stations In Abakaliki To Stem Environmental Disaster

By Ignatius Okpara, Abakaliki

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Efforts by the Federal Government (FG) to tackle various problems of environmental disaster such as tsunamis, earthquakes, landslide and tremors in Southern Nigeria Wednesday received a boost, as it commissioned a modern seismic stations in Abakaliki Ebonyi State, south east Nigeria.

Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi, during the inauguration of the station located at the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) by the agency, affirmed that the establishment of two seismic stations in Niger and Ebonyi states would “enable the agency to disseminate early warning”

He said it would help in averting “hazards related to earthquakes and tremors alongside their attendant effects on lives and infrastructure.

According to Sidi, the commissioning of the Nigerian National Network of Seismological Station (NNNSS) in EBSU was a landmark achievement by the FG towards tackling the environmental disaster in Nigeria.

He said, “There is no doubt that today’s occasion marks a landmark achievement in our strive as a nation to enhance on the effective monitoring of seismic events in Nigeria.

“Nigeria like any other country is faced with both natural and human induced disasters including those related to geo-hazards.

“The impact of these hazards on lives, properties and the environment depends to a large extent on the country’s level of preparedness on efficient early warning and early action.”

Represented by the Director, Disaster Risk Reduction department, Alhaji Alhassan Nuhu, the agency’s D-G stated that the goal of the project was to improve data availability and research by students in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki and Federal University of Technology, Minna in geo-hazard monitoring.

“It is therefore my hope that these stations will boost our nation’s capabilities on geo-hazard monitoring, early warning, and early action and further improve our national resilience,” he said.

The two new seismic stations were a result of the concerted effort and collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST&T), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigerian Airspace Research & Development Agency (NASDRA) and Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics (CGG).

“With the commissioning of the seismological stations in Minna and Abakaliki, regular research on seismic events such as tsunamis, earthquakes, landslides and more would help the relevant disaster agencies to enhance human safety and economic activities by planning ahead so as to mitigate some of the severity associated with such disasters.

Also speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary, Federal ministry of science and Technology, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita said she hoped the new stations would enhance effective national coverage and monitoring of landslides and earth tremor activities.

Mrs Oyo-Ita who was represented by Mr. Peter Ekweozoh, Director of Environmental Science and Technology of the Ministry, urged the university community to secure and maintain the facility in order to facilitate effective research and teaching.

In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Engr. Professor. F.I. Idike, had thanked the FMS&T, NEMA and NASRDA for selecting the University for the project, adding that it would do everything possible to ensure that the station is functioning properly.

“With the completion and now the commissioning of the seismological station today, it is expected that incidents of earth tremors, landslides, flooding, gulling and other environmental hazards will be monitored effectively,” declared Mrs Oyo-Ita.