Security threat: Edo assures US government of adequate security

Edo State government on Monday assured United State Consulate and US citizens of adequate security, saying the state was safe for human habitation and business activities.
BusinessDay reports that the state government position is contained in a press statement issued by Kassim Afegbua, commissioner for information and orientation.

In the release, Afegbua noted that the reaction was occasioned by alleged false alarm raise by the US Consulate about two weeks ago asking American citizens to stay away from about 21 states including Edo.

The state is safe for all residents, visitors and investors who want to carry out their legitimate businesses, the commissioner said.

“Our attention has been drawn to news report barely a week ago asking American citizens to stay away from about 21 states in Nigeria, including Edo State. We wish to state that this travel ban placed by the US Consulate on her citizens with respect to Edo State was an error of judgment.

“Barely a week ago, the Edo State governor received a delegation of the US Consulate led by the Consul-General, John Bray and Michael Harvey, Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on the 26th July in Benin City, when the delegation visited the Azura Power Plant to ascertain the level of progress of this $1 billion investment in the power sector.

“The delegation did not only have a hitch-free, two days fact finding visit to the power plant, they had opportunity to interact with other stakeholders, particularly those who are contesting the September 10th Edo State gubernatorial election. The delegation returned to Lagos without any security threat.

“Placing a travel ban on their citizens who are willing to visit, and or do business in Edo State following our huge investment in economic infrastructure and security architecture, is a mis-representation of the state of affairs in Edo State,” he said.

The state government’s investment in the security sub-sector has created the enabling environment across the state that now attracts investors to the state, he said.

“We have new multi-national companies across the state that have helped to improve the economic well-being of the state and providing gainful employment to thousands of our teeming youths.

“Given the Comrade Governor’s renewed commitment to, and huge investment in security, Edo state has since become too hot for crimes and criminalities. Our security Agencies have been working in partnership with the state government to sustain our commitment of eliminating all forms of criminalities across the state. It is therefore out of place to raise false alarm for no justifiable reason,” he said.