Senator Eteng Williams Proposes Bill to Establish Cocoa Research Institute in Ikom

A Bill seeking the establishment of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ikom, Cross River State, has passed its first reading on the floor of the Senate.

Sponsored by the Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, the Bill seeks to amend the Nigerian Research Institutes Act, Cap N132, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The proposed legislation, titled the Nigerian Research Institutes Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 918), aims to promote research, development, and innovation in the cocoa sector, while enhancing productivity, processing, marketing, and global competitiveness within Nigeria’s cocoa industry.

Senator Eteng Williams expressed optimism that the Bill would smoothly scale through subsequent readings, noting that cocoa production is an integral part of the culture and livelihood of the people of Ikom, Etung, and Boki in Cross River Central Senatorial District.

In addition, the Senator also presented another Bill, the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB. 316), on the floor of the Senate.