By Ani Bassey
The Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Cocoa Development and Control, Dr. Oscar Ofuka says cocoa development is the greatest Legacy of the Ayade administration.
Dr. Ofuka made this known in Calabar after the routine inspection of the 2 hectares CRBC Cocoa Demonstration farm.
The Special Adviser who inspected the farm alongside the Village Head of Aking Osomba said the success of the farm shows cocoa can grow everywhere in the state.
He said the new 3,800 hectares farm in Aking Osomba is the first new cocoa estate in the state since 1954 and commended the community for keying into the cocoa revolution in the state.
“What we have seen here is a clear demonstration of the fact that Ayade Cocoa revolution is on course and already a success.
“This is Calabar and not Ikom, Etung, or Boki, it is a clear indication that cocoa grows everywhere.
On the Ayade Legacy Cocoa Estate at Aking Osomba, he said “Government cocoa estates were last developed in 1954.
“The estates are very old and it is only during the era is Ayade we established new estates, an ultramodern factory which has given us a challenge of raw materials and this is the greatest legacy we are leaving behind”, he said.
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He assured that all traditional requirements for the Aking Osomba estate have been completed and all that is left is for government to enter into a formal agreement with the community.
On his part, the village head of Aking Osomba said he is impressed with what he has seen at the CRBC demonstration farm.
He said he will take the message to his people stressing that the new estate will develop the community and provide engagement for the youths.
He also charged the government to formalize the process of acquisition for the benefit of all stakeholders.
