News of the tremor reached the scientists at 10:00 am, February 4, 2012, from a member of the public that there was an explosion at the Hut II area of Mount Cameroon. In effect, some guides, porters and tourists who were just returning from the mountain, reported to one Simon Gobina that their trip had been prematurely terminated due to an explosive phenomenon they experienced.
The 4th February incident followed yet earlier ones reported on 31st January and 1st February 2012 of the occurrence of some “low magnitude but felt earthquakes on Mount Cameroon.” Speaking to the press, the Permanent Secretary in the South West Governor’s office, Handerson Quetong Kongeh, advised Buea residents to continue with their normal activities. Although Mount Cameroon remains an active volcano, he explained, scientists’ reports on the 4th February incident had called for no alarm as the tremors were weak, low and harmless.
Speaking to Cameroon Tribune on 8th February, the South West Regional Chief of Centre for Research and Innovation, Mrs. Sama Anne Eyango, explained that minor tremors such as the one reported on 4th February were a regular occurrence in Buea due to the activity of the volcanic Mount Cameroon.
Meanwhile, a Buea-based researcher and consultant on risk management, Nana Celestin, has warned against haphazard buildings being erected in Buea. He recommends wooden houses as suitable for a tremor area like Buea. Nana, who said he had carried out a far-reaching research in collaboration with the European Union to determine the vulnerability and resilience of Buea residents in the face of any potential volcanic occurrence, came out with the finding that road outlets for quick evacuation and sensitisation are primordial to environmental risk management.
