C’River Gov’t Commences Comprehensive Verification Of 2024 Cocoa Allocation Exercise
The Cross River State government, through the Office of the Special Adviser on Asset Management and Recovery and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, commenced a comprehensive verification of the 2024 Cocoa Allocation Exercise carried out by the Cocoa Allocation, Rehabilitation, and Development Committee on June 25, 2024. This verification process aims to address widespread criticisms of corruption and favoritism within the allocation process.
The cocoa sector significantly contributes to the livelihood of numerous farmers and the local economy. The verification exercise, held at the Ikom local government council secretariat, seeks to ensure the integrity and transparency of the 2024 cocoa allocation exercise. Governor Bassey Edet Otu has mandated this scrutiny and sanitation of government-owned cocoa estates.
Leading the process, Special Adviser on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, has initiated a detailed verification process to reform the sector. This includes examining existing allocation records to identify discrepancies and irregularities, conducting physical inspections of allocated cocoa farms to verify authenticity, and engaging stakeholders to gather firsthand accounts and insights into the allocation process.
At the conclusion of the exercise, Agbor is expected to produce a comprehensive report outlining findings and recommendations aimed at reforming the cocoa industry.
