Etomi Community Protests Planned Privatisation of Cocoa Estate in Cross River State

Strategic Insights -

Thousands of smallholder farmers in the Etomi community took to the streets to protest the state government's planned privatisation of a cocoa estate in Cross River State. The protesters, including community members from all ages involved in the cocoa value chain, demanded that the government reconsider its decision. They argued that the government should have consulted them before announcing plans to privatise the estate, citing an agreement with their grandparents that guaranteed the community's priority in any privatisation or subletting. Community leaders and members expressed their concerns that the privatisation would disadvantage the host community and lead to job losses, potentially plunging the community's youths into criminality.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 1,000 smallholder farmers protested against the planned privatisation of the cocoa estate in Etomi community, Etung local government area of Cross River State.
  • The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as 'Our cocoa estate is not for sale' and 'We won't accept privatisation of our estate'.
  • Community leaders, including Mr Mbek Agbor-Tangban, warned the state government not to deviate from the agreement with their grandparents, which guarantees the community's priority in any privatisation or subletting.
  • Women Leader Ntunkai Mary-Ndum demanded that the government pull out its cocoa stems and release the bare land to the community if it was no longer interested in the smallholder farmers scheme.
  • Youth Leader Mr Abang Shikina-Oji called on the state government to reconsider its decision to privatise the estate, stressing that it would throw many youths out of jobs.
  • State commissioners for agriculture and information, Mr Johnson Ebokpo and Dr Erasmus Ekpang, appealed for calm, stating that the governor would review the matter and address the people's concerns.
  • The protesters argued that the planned privatisation would lead to problems such as job losses, potentially plunging the community's youths into criminality.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,000 smallholder farmers participated in the protest against the planned privatisation of the cocoa estate.
  • The protesters included community members from all ages involved in the cocoa value chain, including youths, aged men and women, boys, and girls.

Sources:

  • [State Government Press Release]