Tension is rising in Cross River State as more communities, particularly in Etung Local Government Area, join the ongoing peaceful protests against the planned privatisation of cocoa estates by the state government.
The protest, which began on Tuesday in Etomi community, has since spread to other parts of the local government, with residents expressing strong opposition to the government’s proposed action.
On Friday, residents of Abia and Bendeghe communities, including both men and women, took to the streets carrying placards and chanting slogans to register their displeasure over the planned privatisation. Protesters say the cocoa estates are the only source of livelihood in the area, and privatising them would further impoverish the local population.
The Chairman of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria, Abia unit, Comrade Egbuta Amba, appealed to the state government to reconsider its decision.
We don’t want the government to privatise our cocoa estates; it’s the only thing we have. There are no accessible roads, no electricity, no water, and no means of communication here. The cocoa farms are what sustain us. The government has completely abandoned this part of the world,” he said.
Also speaking, the Women Leader of the Abia community, Beatrice Tawo, condemned the planned move, saying it would take away the last source of survival for the people.
We are saying no to privatisation because the government has repeatedly promised us water, light, and roads—yet delivered nothing. Now, they want to take away the only thing sustaining us and keeping our youths away from crime,” she said.
The Youth Leader of the community, Lawrence Ntui, echoed the same sentiments.
“We have been marginalised for too long. There is no government presence here. We have engaged ourselves meaningfully through cocoa farming, and we won’t accept privatisation,” he said.
