Cross River Community Rallies Against Planned Sale of Cocoa Estate

Residents of Etomi community in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State took to the streets on Wednesday to protest the state government’s proposed privatisation of a cocoa estate situated on their land.

Thousands of smallholder farmers joined the peaceful rally, carrying placards that read: “Our cocoa estate is not for sale,” “We say no to privatisation,” and “Do not deprive us of our rights.”

Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, community leader Mr. Mbek Agbor-Tangban warned the government against breaching the long-standing agreement their ancestors had with the state, which led to the donation of the land for cocoa farming.

“The government should have consulted us as the host community, considering the vast land we gave out. Whatever happens to this estate directly affects us,” Agbor-Tangban said.

He cited a publication by The Nigerian Chronicle on June 25, 2025, where the Cross River State Privatisation Council invited tenders for investors to take over the estate.

“This made us anxious because the agreement clearly states that if the government plans to privatise or sublet the estate, we must be consulted first and given the right of first refusal. Only if we decline should it then be advertised,” he added.

Women’s leader Ntunkai Mary-Ndum called on the state to honour the original smallholder scheme cherished by the people. “If the government is no longer interested, it should uproot its cocoa trees and return the land to us,” she stated.

Youth leader Abang Shikina-Oji echoed these concerns, cautioning that privatisation could render many young people jobless.

“Our grandparents donated this land to the Okpara administration in 1957 on the understanding that it would support local farmers. What we fear most is that privatisation will throw our youth into unemployment,” he said.

In response, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo, alongside the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, assured the community that Governor Bassey Otu’s administration would not implement any policy harmful to the people.

“The governor is committed to the welfare of the people and is ready to review any decision causing concern,” Ebokpo stated, urging residents to remain calm as the matter is under consideration.