By Lawrence Mpama
Ayip Eku Oil Palm Estate in Akamkpa local government area of Cross River State, had been a veritable source of employment to the youths of the area, and revenue generation to the host communities and the state government long before the Bureau of Public Enterprise lease it out to a palm oil management firm.
The fortune of that huge asset has changed since Oil Investor, Wingson M-House Palm Oil Investment limited, bought the oil palm estate and took over control and the running of the huge asset more than ten years ago. From one Crisis to another, the investors, Wingson M-house is accused among other issues of failing on it Corporate Social Responsibility to the host communities and the state. This has led to the issuance of a one month ultimatum to the investors and managers of the estate to either sit up, and immediately show commitment or have their ownership right over Ayip Eku Oil Palm Estate revoked.
The one month notice of revocation was handed down by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Mr Johnson Ebokpo in an enlarged stakeholders meeting attended by prominent key figures at Jade Hall Transcorp Metropolitan hotel Calabar. Present at the meeting were the landlord chiefs and youth leader– host communities, the state Commissioner of Police Cross River State command, the state Director of DSS, permanent Secretary and Directors, Ministry of Agriculture and of course, the investors and managers of the estate representatives.
Wingson M-House Palm Oil
Investment Limited which
owns the Oil Palm Estate was told in clear and unequivocal language to show serious commitment and live up to its Corporate Social Responsibility to the host communities and the state government, or be prepared to be shown the way out. The investor who took over the 7, 400 hectares of land estate since 2015, has nothing to show it took over the
investment of the estate 10
years ago.
The company’s non performance
has led to the dead of at
least four persons following controversies, disputes and petitions over the real ownership and development of the Oil Palm Estate.
Both the State Government and the Bureau for Public Enterprise, who
approved the ownership of
the oil palm estate to Wingson
M – H o u s e P a l m O i l
Investment Limited are very disappointed with the investor and are giving them one month to turn a new leaf or be sack. But the company on it part, are asking for a three months time extension to turns things around.
The Managing Director
Ayip Eku Oil Palm Limited
who spoke on behalf of
Wingson M-House Palm Oil
Investment Limited, had
asked for a three month
time frame to help put his
house in order.
But Ebokpo, while reeling
out the resolutions of the
stakeholders, announced
that the State House of
Assembly shall be involved
to raise a motion to this
effect while the State
Government in following
up the order will have no
option than to revoke the
ownership and give it to a more responsible investor.
