Buea:Safety concerns have gained prominence after an early-morning earth tremor on October 23 instilled perplexity and suspicion among Buea residents. Between 3 am and 4 am, residents in different parts of the town, spread out at the foot of the mountain, reported feeling earth tremors lasting less than half a minute.
According to Cameroon News Agency, the tremor was significant enough to dangle kitchen utensils, shake beds, and send dogs barking shortly after it. One resident recounted that 'things were shaking in my house, even my bed. That scared me a lot; I didn't go out for my usual sports at 5 am.'
While the exact implications of the tremor remain unclear, experts generally view such events as indicators of natural phenomena beneath the earth's crust. Although official sources have not issued a definite statement, the tremor has been largely linked to Mount Cameroon, an active volcano that last erupted in the year 2000.
Locals are becoming increasingly worried about the fate of the city's storey buildings, raising questions about their resistance and the potential impact on lives should a disaster hit the city. Many of these buildings have far exceeded the four-floor threshold imposed by current laws, though experts argue that the real issue lies with the quality of construction work.
Eric Ndive Kulu, the chief of Technical Services at the Buea Council and an expert in disaster risk management, emphasized the importance of 'Building Permits' in ensuring that building constructions meet technical safety requirements. He warned that these permits must be matched with practical implementation during construction to ensure enduring structures.
Kulu mentioned that those who have already built against the norms could engage professional help to strengthen structures at a cost. He made these remarks on October 24, invited by the traditional ruler of Bokwoango, Chief Albert Njie Mbonde, as part of efforts to sensitize community members, especially storey building owners.
Local efforts may not replace state response, as Senator Mbella Moki, a son of Buea, has committed to outlining the issues to the concerned ministries during the November Session of the Senate in Yaounde. Having experienced the tremor in his Likoko Membea residence while at prayer, the Member of the Upper House of Parliament emphasized the need to communicate these feelings to decision-makers.
Mount Cameroon is home to several species of protected animals and plants and is considered sacred by the Bakweri people, who believe in the god 'Epassa Moto' residing on the mountain. Chief Albert Njie Mbonde of Bokwoango explained that the phenomenon was not unfamiliar to them as age-old custodians and stressed the importance of planning to monitor and respond to changes.
The traditional ruler urged that awareness-raising replace panic, with a focus on intensifying defence mechanisms through monitoring. 'We count on everybody to be on the watch,' he informed his villagers.
The last significant seismic event near Buea occurred in 2000, approaching within 4 kilometres of the town, with the largest seismic event recorded having a magnitude of 4, According to Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 2009.