‘Akwa Ibom remains safe, friendly for investors’

Akwa  Ibom government has denied a report by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that the state represents one of the flashpoints of violence and insecurity saying instead that it remains safe and friendly for investors.

“We  wish to state that Akwa Ibom State remains one of the most peaceful, safe and secure States in Nigeria. This is an incontrovertible and unvarnished fact as attested to, by prominent and critical stakeholders in our nation’s security architecture and top business and traditional rulers,” the state government said.

In a statement by Emmanuel Ekuwem,  secretary to the state government and made available to Businessday in Uyo, the state capital,  the state government noted with delight the commendations by prominent Nigerians confirming the peaceful nature of the state.

According to the statement, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army,  Jamil Sarham, a Major General during a courtesy call on the State Governor,  Udom Emmanuel in October last year, had commended the peaceful nature of the State saying that ‘Akwa Ibom State was the most peaceful and violence-free of all the areas under his command.’

Similarly,  it noted the sentiments expressed by Apochi Suleiman, a Rear Admiral, Commander of the Joint Task Force in the Niger-Delta region as well as US Ambassador, W. Stuart Symington when he visited Akwa Ibom State on two occasions within the last one and a half years pointing out that ‘no Ambassador would visit a State that is considered unsafe.’

The Secretary to the State Government also added that the Emir of Kano,  Muhammadu Sanusi had during a courtesy visit to the State Governor,  Udom Emmanuel commended the peace and  security citizens enjoy in the State, which he said  has  attracted the second highest in-flow of Foreign Direct Investments coming only behind Lagos State.

“We have also been receiving droves of investors from all parts of the world into the State for the purposes of investing in our peaceful, safe and secure environment. This would not have been possible if the State is not safe, peaceful and secure,” the SSG said.

“We believe Akwa Ibom State was erroneously given a mention in the report based on the agitation for equitable distribution of God’s given resources by the youth of our Niger-Delta zone.

“Today, through several laudable government intervention programmes, the agitation has been significantly reduced with one of the largest American Oil and Gas companies, Exxonmobil operates peacefully in our State,” the statement added.

 The Niger Delta region today, is exceptionally peaceful which has seen other major International Oil Companies (IOC’s) operating in the region, and achieving their OPEC production quotas.

It  stated emphatically and unequivocally that “Akwa Ibom State is peaceful, safe and secure and remains an inviting location for foreign investors, and other Nigerians who daily troop to the State to enjoy our famed cuisines and the hospitality of the people,” the statement.

It explained that given the ease of traveling following the recent commencement of commercial flight operations by IBOM AIR, the only State owned and operated Airline in Nigeria and indeed, Africa, Akwa Ibom remains one of the most preferred destinations in the country.