By Ehigimetor Igbaugba
Hundreds of smallholder farmers in Etomi, Etung Local Government Area of Cross River, protested on Wednesday against the planned privatisation of the cocoa estate located in their community.
Armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, the farmers stated that the privatisation of the cocoa estate was not in the best interest of local farmers.
The protesters, including older adults, men, and women involved in the cocoa value chain, demanded the reversal of the government’s plan to privatise the estate.
The spokesperson for the protesters, Mr Mbek Agbor-Tangban, warned the state government not to deviate from the content of the agreement that the state government had entered into with their parents.
He noted that it was based on the agreement they had agreed to donate the parcel of land, which the government used for the cultivation of the cocoa estate.
“Government ought to have consulted us as the landlord community, given the expanse of land we donated to them.
“We saw a publication in the state government’s owned newspaper, the Nigerian Chronicles, dated June 25, 2025, where the government advertised for tenders for the cocoa estate.
“We became so agitated because the government wants to privatise. Notwithstanding the earlier agreement with our grandparents, we should have been the first people the government ought to have consulted.
“The agreement is apparent that if the government wants to privatise or sublet, they ought to consult first with the landlords.
“We should be the first bidder. In a situation where we are unable to bid, the government can then advertise as stated in the agreement, “Mbek maintained.
Additionally, the Woman leader in the Etomi community, Ntunkai Mary-Ndum, regretted the government’s decision, which was made without consulting them.
Similarly, the community youth leader, Mr Abang Shikina-Oji, called on the state government to rethink its decision.
Meanwhile, the state government has called for calm, as it will listen to every shade of opinion on the Etomi cocoa estate.
In their separate remarks, the state commissioners for Agriculture, Mr Johnson Ebokpo, and his Information counterpart, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, stated this in reaction to the protest.
According to them, “The governor whom they know have the interest of the people at heart will not do anything that undermines the interest of his people.
“He will assuage whatever concerns the people have. As I speak, he is ready to review anything that causes his people pain.
“For now, we appeal to the aggrieved individuals to remain calm as the governor will look into the matter,” the commissioners said
