By Nsan Ndoma-Neji
Former Special Adviser to the immediate past Governor of Cross River State on Cocoa Development and Control, Ntufam Dr. Oscar Ofuka, has expressed concern over the mismanagement of a demonstration cocoa farm located at the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) in Calabar.
The farm, established during Ofuka’s tenure, was meant to generate revenue for CRBC radio and television station, specifically to fund diesel procurement.
However, Ofuka discovered that individuals, allegedly from the Ministry of Agriculture, were harvesting cocoa pods without permission, and in a way that damages the plants.
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Ofuka set up the farm to address frequent power outages at CRBC, which disrupted news broadcasts.
He worked with the then-management of CRBC to establish the farm, solely to boost the station’s revenue.
“I am pained to see the farm being mismanaged,” Ofuka said. “It’s wrong to climb cocoa stems to harvest pods. That’s not how you harvest cocoa, and it’s damaging the plants.”
There’s a controversy between CRBC and the Ministry of Agriculture over who should manage the farm.
Ofuka believes the two entities should work together, with the Ministry providing technical expertise to manage the farm.
“The farm is for the support of CRBC, not for personal gain or for the benefit of the Ministry of Agriculture,” he emphasized.
“I urge them to work together to ensure the farm is properly managed and fulfills its original purpose.”
Reacting to the issue, the General Manager Cross River Broadcasting Corporation, CRBC, Mr. Sam Nsor said, “I do not want to join issues with Ofuka. Ofuka is not an appointee of government and has no moral justification to make derogatory comments about anything belonging to CRBC. I come from a place where elders are respected. Otherwise I would have make comments that will disrespect him. He should maintain his place please.”
