Residents of Etomi community in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State have staged a protest against the state government's plan to privatise a cocoa estate in their locality, citing violation of an ancestral agreement.
The demonstration, which took place on July 3, saw participation from elderly cocoa farmers and youths involved in the cocoa value chain. Protesters carried placards with messages such as "Our cocoa estate is not for sale," "We say no to privatization of our cocoa estate," and "Don't deprive us of our rights."
Violation of Ancestral Agreement
Community leader Mr. Mbek Agbor-Tangban expressed concern over the government's failure to consult with the community before announcing privatisation plans. He referenced a publication in the Nigerian Chronicles dated June 25, 2025, which stated that the Privatization Council was set to receive bids for the estate.
"This intent to privatise the estate is without regard to earlier agreement with our grandparents. We should have been the first people the government ought to have consulted," Agbor-Tangban stated.
He emphasized that according to the original agreement, if the government wished to privatize or sublet the estate, they were obligated to consult with the landlords first. The community maintains they should be given priority as the first bidder before any public advertisement.
Community Concerns
Ntunkai Mary-Ndum, the women leader of Etomi Community, took a firm stance, suggesting that if the state government was no longer interested in the smallholders farmers scheme, they should "visit the estate and pull off their cocoa stems and leave our land."
Youth leader Abang Shikina-Oji warned that the planned privatization would likely put the host community at a disadvantage and called on the state government to reconsider its decision.
The cocoa estate in question is one of several plantations established in the late 1950s by Michael Okpara, former premier of the then Eastern region.
Government Response
In response to the protests, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo, assured that the government would not undermine the interests of the people.
"The governor will assuage whatever concerns the people have. As I speak, he is ready to review anything that causes his people pain," Ebokpo stated.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between government development initiatives and community land rights in Cross River State, with residents determined to protect their ancestral heritage and economic interests.
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