Community Protests Planned Privatization of Cocoa Estate in Cross River State

Youth leader of the Agborkim Waterfall community in Etung local government area, Comrade Enoh Theophilus Ekuri, has called on Governor Bassey Otu to scrap the planned privatisation of the cocoa estate, citing concerns about the community's livelihood and potential rise in anti-social vices. Over 2,000 community youths protested the planned privatisation, with Ekuri stressing that it was easier for the state government to privatise the governor's office than attempt to touch the cocoa plantation, which is the mainstay of the community's economy. The community fears that privatization would plunge them into abject poverty and lead to an increase in anti-social vices such as theft, prostitution, armed robbery, and others.

Key Takeaways:

• The Agborkim Waterfall community is protesting the planned privatization of the cocoa estate, citing concerns about their livelihood and potential rise in anti-social vices.
• Over 2,000 community youths participated in the protest, with Comrade Enoh Theophilus Ekuri urging Governor Bassey Otu to reconsider the privatization plan.
• Ekuri stated that privatizing the cocoa estate would be easier than attempting to touch the governor's office, emphasizing the importance of the plantation to the community's economy.
• Opinion leader Mr. Danis Owan warned that privatization would plunge the community into abject poverty and increase the risk of anti-social vices.
• A protester, Miss Omom Ekuri-Bassey, urged Governor Otu not to force the community to resort to prostitution and other forms of exploitation due to potential joblessness.
• The community's economy is heavily reliant on cocoa production, with their forefathers donating the land to the state government on the understanding that it would be managed for the benefit of the community.
• The protesters urged Governor Bassey Otu to "perish the thought" of privatizing the cocoa estate and to consider the potential consequences for the community.

Statistics:

• Over 2,000 community youths participated in the protest against the planned privatization of the cocoa estate.
• The Agborkim Waterfall community's economy hinges on cocoa production, with the plantation being the mainstay of their livelihood.
• The protesters fear that privatization would lead to an increase in anti-social vices such as theft, prostitution, armed robbery, and others.

Sources:

• "Youth Leader Calls on Gov Otu to Scrap Privatization of Cocoa Estate" by an unnamed journalist.