By Israel Joel
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong on Tuesday praised the peaceful conduct of the Local Government elections held throughout the State on Saturday 9th October 2021, describing it as a great achievement in the consolidation of peace on the Plateau which has been his topmost priority since assuming office in 2021.
Governor Lalong who received a delegation from the British High Commission Abuja on Governance and Stability led by Mrs. Sophie Stevens said the elections are the most peaceful in the State in recent times going by the fact that most Local Government elections in the past have resulted in crises.
This was contained in a statement signed by Simon Macham, his director of press and public affairs, and made available to newsmen in Jos.
He said what transpired is a result of consistent work by the Peace Building Agency and other stakeholders which have laid the foundation for dialogue, engagement, early warning, and proactive crises management.
He said the state will need more support from the British Government in consolidating the gains so far as well as relocating displaced persons to their ancestral lands in order to address some of the issues that have remained outstanding in the peace and security of the State.
He also appreciated the British for their investments in Plateau through education, health, Missions, and business which have continued to grow and yield results. He assured them that the Government will work closely with the team on areas that are very critical to the peace and security of the State and the economic progress of the Plateau.
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The high-powered delegation is here to felicitate and to engage the state to seek relationships on priorities.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation Mrs. Sophie appreciated the Governor for receiving them and said the relationship of Plateau State with the UK is a long and fruitful one going by the historical antecedents of Plateau as a strategic State in the North Central.
She said they have recognized the role of the Governor as a peacebuilder both as Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and the Nigeria Governors Forum at large.
She sympathized with the State over the recent attacks describing it as a setback that the Government has been able to address swiftly leading to the restoration of normalcy that led to the conduct of the elections.
