Iniruo Wills, the Bayelsa State Commissioner
for Environment, said on Friday that the earth tremor that occurred in Okordia
communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area on Wednesday, could be a warning
sign of an earthquake.
Willis made this
assertion while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria during his inspection
visit to the affected communities to ascertain the extent of damage.NAN reports that the tremor caused anxiety among residents of the area, with some people fleeing their homes in fear.
Wills said that preliminary findings during the tour showed cracks on the impacted buildings, which, according to him, is an indication of the seriousness of the incident.
He said: “It could be a warning and we assure the indigenes of the community that we will not wait until an earthquake happens in Bayelsa.
“We have spoken to many of them and they reacted spontaneously.
“We have been shown around and we have seen cracks.
“Some of the cracks may not be too evident and long.
“But some are quiet long.
“It could be a warning, but we will not also jump to conclusion.”
However, many of the indigenes of the community have attributed the strange earth tremor to oil exploration and production activities by oil firms operating in the area.
Residents at Freetown, Ikarama 1 and 2 areas, said the strange earth tremor caused walls of about 50 buildings to crack.
The Paramount Ruler of the community, Chief Franco Daniel, said the incident occurred late evening on Wednesday and caused panic in the community.
Daniel said: “I was sleeping when my daughter ran into the house shouting that the ground was seriously shaking.
”I hurried out and observed many of the indigenes running helter skelter in fear.
“Many of us believe it is due to the years of neglect by oil multinationals.”