Niger Delta
C’River farmers protest govt privatization of cocoa farm estate

Hundreds of small holder farmers in Etomi in Etung local government area of Cross River, on Wednesday protested the planned privatisation of the cocoa estate located in the community.
Armed with placards of various inscriptions, the farmers said privatisation of the cocoa estate was not in the best interest of the local farmers.
The protesters, including the aged, men, and women that are involved in the cocoa value chain, demanded reversal of the government’s plan to privatise of the estate.
Spokesperson of the protesters, Mr. Mbek Agbor -Tangban, warned the state government not to deviate from the content of agreement that the state government entered with their parents.
He noted that it was on the basis of the agreement they agreed to donate the parcel of land which the government used in 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 not withstanding the earlier agreement with our grandparents, we should have been the first people government ought to have consulted.
“The agreement is very clear 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.
Also speaking, Woman leader in Etomi community, Ntunkai Mary- Ndum, regretted the government decision without consulting them.
Similarly, the community youth leader, Mr Abang Shikina-Oji, called on the state government to have a rethink of its decision.
Meanwhile, the state government has called for calm as the government 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 definitely not do anything that undermines 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.