By: Daniel Bebia
The Chairman of Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, Hon. Mrs. Beatrice Nyiam has called on the State Government and investors with the drive for business to consider investing in Cocoa processing and other agricultural value chain predominant in the area for economic emancipation of the people.
The Chairman made the plea at their exhibition stand at the ongoing Cross River Trade Fair in Calabar, the State Capital.
Hon Nyiam lamented the lack of factories in the area over the years which according to her has led to the under utilization and wastage of Cocoa and other crops produced in large quantities in the area and solicited for urgent attention to check the economic waste.
She said the people have overtime been faced with various challenges ranging from high cost of transportation orchestrated by the deplorable condition of the Federal roads as well as the existence of too many middlemen among others.
According to the Chairman, lack of government and private sector investment specifically in Cocoa value chain has brought about transfer of wealth to another State because the traders come to their community to buy off the raw cocoa with peanut.
"By rating Boki and indeed the entire Cross River State is the largest producer of Cocoa in Nigeria, as we may be aware, Cocoa that is produced here is transported to Ondo State, packaged and branded 'Ondo Cocoa' thereby transferring our wealth to another place " Hon Nyiam lamented.
The Council Boss hinted that with cocoa gaining more global attention, investing in it will detached the State from economic crisis, adding that cocoa is only but one among the many offerings of the Boki people.
She noted that Boki is endowed with many resources both agricultural, natural and human that if fully utilized can be a surefoot for food security and economic prosperity of State
In the same vain, the Obudu Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Peter Udiandiye stated that the people of Obudu have a rich heritage and called on all who have drive for business to come to Obudu because he has made arrangements for the conducive business environment.
He said Obudu has an Agrarian population, and tasked the working population to tap into agriculture for food sufficiency
The Chairman encourages all to return to agriculture stating that the government has given every enabling environment for it to thrive, stating that no government with the current situation of things will be able to give a handout to satisfy the people.
