Exposed: How Cocoa Allocation Committee Cornered Over 500 Hectares Of Cocoa Plots, Natives Demand Sack Of Members 

By Ebi COLLINS

The Ebori Nku-led Cocoa Allocation and Regeneration Committee stealthily hid well over 500 hectares of cocoa plots for its selfish and self-serving interest THE BEAGLE NEWS can authouritatively reveal.

THE BEAGLE NEWS also allegedly gathered that the committee engaged in all sorts of underhand schemes.

Recall that the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, had constituted a 9-member Verification Committee led by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Asim Odu, with a responsibility to investigate infractions in the just-concluded cocoa allocation exercise that was greeted with massive protests from landlord communities.

Investigations revealed that during a joint meeting summoned at the behest of the Secretary to the State Government on May 14, the Cocoa Allocation and Regeneration Committee admitted to hoarding over 400 hectares of cocoa plots, against the Verification Committee's submission of over 500 hectares.

The Cocoa Allocation and Regeneration Committee, at the meeting, it was also learned, pleaded leniency from the State Government for negating its 'People First' mantra in the entire cocoa allocation process, a situation the SSG expressed disappointment and frowned seriously at.

The SSG's cold-shouldered reaction to their plea portended danger for the Cocoa Allocation and Regeneration Committee members, as he clearly told them that their fate to whether or not continue working lies in the hands of Governor Bassey Otu, who is expected to return to the State very soon.

Another source close to the Cocoa Allocation Committee, on grounds of anonymity, told THE BEAGLE NEWS that in the course of the exercise, six blocks of cocoa plots were reserved for each member of the Committee who is a native of the cocoa landlord communities, while two blocks (12 hectares) were given to members from non landlord communities.

The recent revelations have increased bitterness and generated outcry from people of the Etung local government area, especially the Cocoa Landlord Communities, with majority calling for the sack of the Cocoa Allocation and Regeneration Committee headed by Mr. Cosmas Ebori Nku.

Speaking to some natives from the landlord communities, Eric-Obasi Ogar of Etomi community in Etung LGA, lamented that "the Cocoa Allocation and Regeneration Committee's stealthy decision to reserve over 500 hectares of cocoa plots for its selfish interests, amidst other underhanded dealings is a clear indication of greed and runs foul to the 'People First' agenda of the present administration.

"Government must not condone such infractions. Of course I know Governor Bassey Otu's no-nonsense approach to addressing such issues. I implore the State Government to relieve the Committee members of their appointments with immediate effect."

Protesting also, Mr. Zeal Ekure, the leader of the Bendeghe-Ekiem said:"The 500 hectares of cocoa plots stolen by the Cocoa Allocation and Regeneration Committee could have empowered and given a new lease of life to 500 youths, especially from the landlord communities. But the Committee's greed has thwarted such reality.

"We cannot continue to elect those with anti-people disposition to serve in a people-centred government. They will continue to work at cross purposes. The recent unsavoury revelations of the Committee's dealings are a textbook example of what I'm saying. Government must wield the big stick in addressing the situation, no matter whose ox is gored."

Nse Egbe, Akare Nkom, Etta Eju, from Ajassor, Effraya and Agbokim communities, respectively, stated that the Committee's dealings are damning for everyone and dampen the credibility of the present administration's 'People First' agenda.

Public affairs commentators, political analysts and other stakeholders are watching to see if the Governor would take a drastic measures or sweep the issues before him under the carpet, for depriving landlord communities of their own patrimony and and cheating government to the tune of several millions of Naira.