Ofuka gave the warning on Tuesday in Calabar while giving an update on the 2020/21 cocoa farm allocation in the state.

He said that ceding part of the state government’s cocoa estate in Etung Local Government Area could pose some dangers to the host community.

The special adviser said the action would impede the progress of cocoa revolution agenda of the state government.

“Some public officers are doing shady deals by ceding government lands to individuals. We are suffering in Cross River as a result of the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon and our oil wells to a neighbouring state.

“We cannot afford to witness ceding of our cocoa plantation which has become our new crude oil, to any individual.

“I want to emphasise once more that Cross River government is not ready to cede an inch of its cocoa land to any individual, no matter how highly placed,’’ he said

He added that the state was committed to its target of becoming the number one cocoa producing state in Nigeria.

He maintained that the plots of cocoa were supposed to be allocated to beneficiaries who meet the necessary conditions.

“So, the idea that 40 hectares of our cocoa estate had been ceded to an individual is unacceptable. This government will come and go, but the cocoa estate will remain. We can’t afford to have any plot of land ceded to any individual,’’ Ofuka said.

Also speaking, Mr. Njor Asam, Chairman, Etung Cocoa Estate Landlord Communities Association, said the move to cede some hectares of the cocoa estate was a threat to the unborn generation.

Asam said that the communities would defend the estate against any form of ceding.

“We may invoke all traditional methods to stop any individual or group of persons from ceding the estate,’’ he said. (NAN)