The Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST), Chief Uche Geoffery Nnaji, has applauded the National Space Research And Development Agency (NASRDA) for its role in providing relevant data that facilitates effective policy formulation and implementation in the country.
He made this statement during a Ministerial press briefing on the monitoring of the Lagdo dam for flood risk and the preliminary report of the 16th September, 2024 Earth Tremors at Mpape, Abuja.
The Honourable Minister who described the role of the Space Agency as strategic to nation building emphasized that efforts will be put in place by the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to empower and solidify its activities for effective service delivery.
According to him, the data from the seismogram of seismic stations operated by the Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics, Toro, which is one of the activity centres of NASRDA revealed that the earth tremor was as a result of gradual strain withdrawal, leading to the failure that caused the event which reinforces earlier assertions of the reactivation of faults within the locality.
He added that the Government is currently processing and analysing comprehensive data sets from its seismological and GNSS stations to provide relevant recommendations to the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
Chief Nnaji urged the residents of Mpape and by extension the FCT to remain calm and continue their normal activities as NASRDA is closely monitoring the situation and will soon implement measures to mitigate the seismic risks.
On the imminent flood risk that may affect the southern part of the country, the Honourable Minister explained that the space -based monitoring platform under the auspice of the United Nations Space based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response hosted by NASRDA has revealed alarming details regarding the activities surrounding the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
According to him, the overflow of the Dam affected about 137 hectares of land and Satellite imageries indicate a significant flood risks.
In his presentation, the Director General and Chief Executive, NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju gave a diagrammatic explanation of the recent occurrence with the imageries provided by Satellites which according to him may not have devastating effect if necessary precautions and measures are adopted.
The NASRDA boss who appreciated the Federal Government for funding some of its activities especially for the building of seismic station, emphasized the need for continuous support to enhance the Agency’s capacity in providing relevant data that can avert any form of disaster.
Dr. Adepoju pledged the Agency’s commitment towards the actualisation of its mandate for the socio-economic development of the country.
He called on the Government and relevant Agencies to support the activities of the Agency which according to him, is geared towards ensuring that the country occupy its rightful position among nations states in the international system.
The ministerial press briefing was organized by the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology in conjunction with the National Space Research and Development Agency and it is geared towards providing relevant information about the recent Mpape Earth tremors at the Federal Capital Territory as well as the flood risk in the southern part of the country.
Below are pictures from the event.
