Gov Otu Splashes 86 Million Naira on C’River Cocoa Estate Landlord Communities
Governor Bassey Otu has approved the payment of N86 million in royalties to cocoa landlord communities in Etung, the first time such a significant amount has ever been released in the history of cocoa administration in Cross River State.
The breakthrough was announced on Thursday, November 13, during a high-level meeting between state government officials and representatives of cocoa landlord communities, held at the Traditional Rulers Council Chambers in Calabar.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, said the engagement became necessary to harmonize positions on the sharing formula for the newly approved funds.
“We’ve never had N20 million in the history of cocoa in Etung,” he noted. “But for the first time, the government approved N86 million.”
Prof. Enoh explained that the magnitude of the amount triggered questions about the size of land contributed by each community to cocoa production. To ensure an equitable distribution, he revealed that the government has constituted a committee for the eight officially recognized cocoa landlord communities to verify land contributions and other related claims.
“Every community brings forward the volume of land contributed to the government. That will now give a sharing formula for the money,” he added.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, appealed for cooperation from the affected communities, assuring that the committee’s work would be transparent, inclusive and fair.
The Paramount Ruler of Etung Local Government Area, HRM Ntui-Atue, Anthony Ntui-Etta, lauded the initiative and urged community members to guard against any form of division over the funds.
“We have settled ourselves and agreed that this royalty shouldn’t bring disunity among us,” he said.
While acknowledging outstanding arrears inherited from previous administrations, the monarch expressed gratitude for Governor Otu’s resolve to deliver on his word.
“During the campaign, he promised us he’s going to pay and he has done it,” he stated.
Secretary of the landlord communities, Barr. Hollis Bassey Isong, described the governor’s action as magnanimous and unprecedented, noting that no administration before now had released such a large sum to cocoa landlord communities.
The secretary of the verification committee and Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, assured that the committee would complete its work within two weeks as directed.
He added that the Otu administration intends to sustain royalty payments.
“His Excellency said it’s a season of sweetness. Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,” he remarked.
The committee is chaired by Dr. Odey Ikongha, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, with membership drawn from the eight cocoa landlord communities.
Thursday’s meeting also had in attendance the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, Sir Francis Edet, senior government officials and other representatives from the landlord communities.
