Oscar Ofuka Dares Gov Otu, Allots C'River Cocoa Estate To Illegal Applicants
By Ebi COLLINS
The former Special Adviser on Cocoa Regeneration and Control (in immediate past administration), Mr. Oscar Ofuka has thrown caution to the wind in a flagrant disregard to constituted authority by proceeding with allocation of Cross River State Cocoa Estate plots to individuals.
If rumours in the Cocoa landlord communities and Etung Local Government Area at large are anything to go by, Ofuka has proceeded to allot cocoa plots to individuals he entered into agreement with, a situation the Otu-led administration, upon assumption of office, declared a nullity.
When THE BEAGLE NEWS contacted the current Chairman, Cross River State Cocoa Allocation and Regeneration Committee, Prince Cosmas Ebori Nku on the alleged breach by Ofuka, he admitted to it and said "he was going to notify government of the situation for further necessary action."
Recall that on July 6, 2023, Cross River State Government, in a release signed by the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche, barred former Special Adviser on Cocoa Development and Control, Oscar Ofuka from all activities pertaining to the State Cocoa Estate, re-echoing the Otu-led administration's position that all former political appointees have been relieved of their appointments, and, therefore, cannot act on behalf of the State Government.
The release vehemently stated: "It is imperative to inform the general public that Mr. Oscar Ofuka, former Special Adviser on Cocoa Development and Control has since been relieved of his appointment and is strongly advised to desist from parading himself in that light."
Government further warned that "all stakeholders in the cocoa value chain are to note that any agreement entered into on acquisition of cocoa plots beyond December 31, 2023 do so at their own risk and are advised to review such erroneous transactions with Mr. Oscar Ofuka and seek for their refunds."
"Any attempt by any individual or group to undermine the Government’s directives in this regard will be seriously dealt with," part of the release cautioned. Ofuka has insisted on carrying Cocoa allocation beyond the tenure of the administration which appointed him into such office on grounds of some court judgments, and to enable government offset outstanding royalties owed cocoa landlord communities.
Some people from the cocoa landlord communities and the cocoa sector have chided the embattled Ofuka for flouting government directives and his illogical attempt to operate a government venture beyond his tenure of office, with a call on government to nib such anomaly in the butt before it causes unrest between potential cocoa allottees from the Nku-led Committee and those from Ofuka's illegal scheme.
