Bendeghe Ekiem Community Threatens Naked Protest Over Government's Planned Privatisation of Cocoa Estate

Tensions have escalated in Bendeghe Ekiem community in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State as women and youths vow to stage a naked protest if the government proceeds with the privatisation of a government-owned cocoa estate. The community, which has benefited from the estate's job opportunities, is determined to resist the move, accusing the Commissioner for Agriculture, Johnson Ebokpo, of attempting to hand over the estate to private investors without consulting them. The community has given the Commissioner two weeks to engage in discussions, warning that they will invoke a traditional curse if their demands are ignored.

Key Takeaways:

• Women and youths in Bendeghe Ekiem community are opposed to the privatisation of the government-owned cocoa estate, citing the potential loss of job opportunities for the community's youths.
• The community has accused Commissioner for Agriculture, Johnson Ebokpo, of attempting to hand over the estate to private investors without consulting them.
• The community has given the Commissioner two weeks to engage in discussions, threatening to stage a naked protest and invoke a traditional curse if their demands are ignored.
• The community leader, Ntunkai Mary Obi, stated that the land belonging to them cannot be taken away, and that they will replant their own cocoa trees if necessary.
• The Town Council Chairman, Etta Atu-Ojua, warned that privatising the estate will lead to increased criminality among jobless youths, and that the community suffered before the estate provided jobs.
• The community has vowed to continue protesting until their demands are met, with the youth leader, Comrade Tandu Kingsley, stating that they will not back down until the government meets their demands.

Statistics:

• None mentioned in the text

Sources:

• Saturday Tribune
• Governor Bassey Otu
• Report by Etung Local Government Area
• Commissioner for Agriculture, Johnson Ebokpo
• Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang