Ayade’s ex aide on cocoa development backs proposed Ogoja state, cites economic viability
Ani Bassey
A former Special Adviser to the immediate past governor of Cross River State Professor Ben Ayade on Cocoa Development and Control Oscar Ofuka has defended the proposed Ogoja State.
Ofuka who spoke on the sidelines of the Public Hearing on constitutional review by the House of Representatives in Calabar says the Ogoja will be one of the most qualified and economically viable states.
“The most qualified state to be created is the Ogoja State because it’s a province that was not made a state.
“The Ogoja province has all it takes to sustain itself. It has abundant natural and agricultural resources as well as agricultural resources like cocoa which is an international crop.
“The entire ecology of the proposed state supports cocoa development. We created a lot of awareness on cocoa development and also distributed cocoa across the northern senatorial district.
“Some of these seedlings have grown to plantations and are already yielding resources”, he said.
He emphasized that with cocoa development and value chain creation, the proposed state is capable of standing on its own without much reliance on the federation account.
The proposed Ogoja State is expected to be carved out of the present Cross River State. It has been gaining momentum and support from major stakeholders across Cross River State.
