Etung Cocoa Communities Appoint AIG Mbu As New Chairman

By CrossRiverWatch 

The Cocoa landlord communities in Etung Local Government Area have appointed new members into the committee to promote their interests.

The new committee is led by a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Joseph Mbu and has Mr. A.N Abang, a former area manager of Cocoa estates as vice chairman. Gabriel Odu-Oji, who has served as commissioner three different times is also a member.

It is to replace the old one led by Engr. Obi Tangban, a State lawmaker during the second republic who had retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Njarngor Egbe Njom as his vice.

The monarchs of the communities met last weekend and determined that Tangban, 86 was too old to continue and needed a younger person who could still stand the physical rigors of the office.

The Cocoa estates have been a source of controversy and is said to be part of the reason why the Special Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade on Cocoa development, Oscar Ofuka is currently cooling his feet at the Nigerian Police Force CIID Annex in Alagbon, Ikoyi Lagos State.

And, the monarchs frowned at situations where some members were allocated up to eleven blocks of Cocoa farms contrary to their mandate to ensure that 70% which is the quota of the host communities is shared evenly especially among the young people.

The monarchs expressed displeasure at the pace with which the old committee operated especially on the collection of the 30 percent quota of royalty meant for the landlord communities from the State Government amidst allegations that some members were financially induced by State actors.