The Cross River State government has kicked off the payment of rents and royalties to cocoa estate landlord communities in the state.
The special adviser to the governor on Cocoa Development and Control, Ntufam Dr Oscar Ofuka, disclosed this during a town hall engagement in Ikom.
The rents/royalties span over eight years and have most times led to confrontation with the host communities thereby hampering maximum cultivation of cocoa seedlings.
Ofuka stated that payment of rent and royalties to the communities was a priority on the agenda of the state government and debunked the rumours that government had refused to defray the debts.
Also speaking, the state commissioner for agriculture Mr Oliver Orok, said the strategy used to clear the debts remains the best as it provides opportunity for the landlord communities to decide whatever formula to be used in sharing the money.
Chairman, cocoa landlord communities, Etung LGA, AIG Njar Ngor Egbe Njom (rtd), confirmed the commencement of payment of the royalties.
Njom, who sued for peace and understanding of the landlord communities, said leaders should learn to trust people especially when they are given responsibilities to carry out.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
