By Akpan David, Calabar
Chairman of Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mr Ejor Obi has said that members of the association singularly and collectively have resolved to increase cocoa production and to attract greater investments into the country.
He states this in Ikom, the nerve centre of cocoa farming in central part of Cross River where they commissioned massive Cocoa House, which comes with offices, lodges and malls among others.
He said, “We are committed to ensuring that we raise the local production of cocoa, increase its economic prominence and attract greater investments into our farms and by extension economy of the state and nation”.
He said they have resolved to see that they push cocoa business back to the front burner and replace Ivory Coast as number one cocoa producing country.
He disclosed that the Cocoa Guest House is constructed by the stakeholders and would help in the provision of accomdation to business men and women who visit once the ultra-modern Cocoa processing factory rolls out its products.
Earlier, Vice president,Cross River/Akwa Ibom and Rivers State Zone of CAN, Mr. Godwin Okwu, said they are relieved that the gigantic project is finally done with.
“It is part of the steps to boost cocoa business, attract investments and tourism in the state”, he said.
According to him, cocoa can sustain the state economy if properly harnessed.
He appealed to the state government to provide 20 hectares of land specifically at government owned estate at Cross River State forest in Effray to enable the association raise a cocoa seed garden and a demonstration farm.
“This would make it easier for Cross Riverians to to have access to hybrid planting materials, utilize the state cocoa processing plant for value addition and to also provide comfortable environment for trade to people of the state.”
Okwu disclosed that they will soon construct the association’s skill acquisition centre.
Governor Ben Ayade, represented by chairman of APC, Barrister Alphonsus Eba commissioned the Cocoa House.
He lauded the state branch of Cocoa Association of Nigeria,CAN for the developmental stride.
Special Adviser SA to the Cross River State governor, Ntufam Dr. Oscar Ofuka said, “We are champions of Cocoa production in Africa. The specie we are producing has a gestation period of 18 months.”
