By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has mandated the immediate disbandment of the suspended Cocoa Allocation Taskforce and Surveillance Team overseeing the four government-owned Cocoa Estates in Etung Local Government Area.
This directive, which was issued on Monday, June 10, 2024, by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gill Nsa, also applies to any other groups operating under any pretext.
Governor Otu emphasized that any individual obstructing progress would face legal repercussions.
In addition, the Governor has lifted the suspension on payments of government lease fees for one month, starting from June 10. Beneficiaries must verify their names on the Cocoa Allocation master list with the designated desk officer at the Ministry of Agriculture in Ikom before making payments.
The Governor also stated that the counting of lines per hectare would remain as previously agreed by the Cocoa Allocation Committee: 14, 12, 10, 14, and 8 lines per hectare, respectively.