The Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Matthew Adepoju, has urged the federal government to take decisive action against illegal mining activities in Abuja.
His call comes in the wake of recent earth tremors felt in the Mpape, Maitama, Gishiri, and Katampe areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a monitored interview, Adepoju emphasized that activities such as borehole drilling and rock blasting must be conducted with caution to avoid exacerbating the seismic situation. He noted that human activities have a significant impact on the geological stability of the region, particularly when it comes to disturbing rocks deep beneath the earth’s surface.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Professor Olusegun Ige, reassured residents not to panic, explaining that the tremors resulted from accumulated stress along identified faults releasing seismic energy.
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Adepoju highlighted the need for the FCT Administration to address public water supply issues, noting that many households rely on boreholes for water. He pointed out that new settlements in residential areas, such as Lokogoma and Life Camp, lack access to public water.
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He urged the government to enforce laws criminalizing illegal mining and rock blasting, stressing the importance of strengthening existing mechanisms to regulate these activities. “You cannot conduct quarry operations without government approval,” Adepoju stated, underscoring the need for increased efforts to curb unauthorized mining practices in the region.