Delta State Government, on Monday, faulted the British High Commission for listing the state among the 12 states in the country with security challenges and unsafe for its nationals, as reported in the Vanguard newspaper of Monday, October 18, 2012.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, gave the position at a press briefing on Monday, held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Information, Asaba.
According to the Delta Government spokesperson, the advisory must have been issued in error, arguing that the reality on ground proved Delta as one the safest in Nigeria.
The commissioner noted that Delta remained one of the states where nightlife thrives, saying the British had investment interest in the state and none was under any form of threat or its nationals.
He recalled that the British High commissioner, Catriona Laing, was in Delta State in September 2021, adding that she commended the developmental efforts in the state, including the state of security.
According to Aniagwu, the state government had invested heavily in peace and security, as one of the five developmental focus of the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa administration, stating that peace and security were important to the development of any society.
While appreciating the various stakeholders, including traditional rulers for partnering the state in ensuring a safe and secured state, Aniagwu urged the international community to discountenance the advisory, insisting that it did not reflect the reality on ground.
He called on the British Government and nationals to continue to see Delta as safe, and that Delta was not under any threat of Boko Haram attack or coterminous with states where Boko Haram insurgents operate.
“Peace and Security is the second development issue in the government five-point agenda, after wealth creation.
“We have tried in the past six and half years to have reasonable peace which can be attested to.
“Delta is very safe, welcoming and conducive for business and leisure. Delta is one of the few states in Nigeria where nightlife thrives.
“The advisory must have been in error.
“The advisory is not based on facts. Boko Haram activities are in the north, such intelligence has no credence.
“The high commissioner was in Delta last month, where she commended the development efforts in Delta, including security. Delta is host to British investments interest and none is at risk.
“We are urging the international community to discountenance the advisory because it does not reflect the reality on ground,” Aniagwu said.
Aniagwu used the occasion to reveal that the state government was perfecting arrangements at gazetting the Anti-Open Grazing Law in the state, come up with a white paper on the judicial report of the End SARS protest in October, 2020; and the 2022 Budget.
