By Asuquo Cletus
The Cross River State government has approved the payment of โฆ86 million as royalties to cocoa landlord communities in Etung Local Government Area, bringing relief to communities that had been owed for nearly two decades.
The approval, marks the first major royalty payment to the cocoa-producing communities in 18 years. The announcement was made during a meeting of representatives of the cocoa landlord communities held at on Thursday in Calabar.
Speaking at the meeting, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan Enoh, explained that the funds were derived from the proceeds of cocoa production in Etung and were intended to reward host communities for their contributions to the stateโs agricultural sector.
โThe meeting was primarily convened to resolve certain issues which, if not properly handled, could create misunderstanding among the communitiesโespecially regarding the sharing formula for the โฆ86 million approved by His Excellency,โ Enoh said.
He disclosed that, for the first time in the history of cocoa management in the area, the sum of โฆ86 million was realized, far exceeding previous records. To ensure transparency, he said, a committee has been set up to verify the land claims and contributions of each of the eight landlord communities to determine their rightful share.
โI had to assemble everyone so that nobody accuses me of unfairness or favoritism. Each community will now present documents to prove the quantity of land it contributed to the cocoa plantations, from where the money was generated,โ he added.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Assets Management and Recovery, Gilbert Agbor, who serves as secretary of the verification committee, stated that the panel had been given two weeks to complete its assignment and submit a report to government.
He described the task as โtedious but achievable,โ assuring that the committee would deliver a fair outcome in the interest of all stakeholders.
โThe royalties will be paid in perpetuity as long as government continues on that line. This is not a one-time gesture. His Excellency has graciously approved this payment because he believes it is the turn of Etungโโa season of sweetnessโ for the cocoa communities,โ Barrister Agbor said.
Also speaking, the Paramount Ruler of Etung Local Government, Antony Etta commended Governor Otu for fulfilling his promise, noting that the payment covered arrears spanning four years, while other outstanding balances predating the period remain unpaid.
โWe are grateful to Governor Otu for remembering us. Government had been owing serious arrears, but this administration has paid four years. There is still backlog, but we are hopeful this marks a new beginning,โ the monarch stated.
He further emphasized the commitment of all landlord communities to unity and peaceful coexistence, stressing that โroyalty should not bring disunity among us, but rather encourage collective development.โ
