By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

Calabar – Ekong Anaku community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State has threatened to seize Obasanjo Farm located in the community. The community alleged that they were not adequately compensated for the loss of economic trees in the large expanse of land acquired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his oil palm project.

The community claimed that when the land was acquired during the tenure of Governor Donald Duke, the landlords were not involved and despite the loss of economic trees, compensation had not been paid. They alleged that indigenes engaged by the company had not been allowed to reach managerial level.

The threat was made during the commissioning of an ultra-modern oil mill by the state governor, Mr. Liyel Imoke in company of Obasanjo and Duke.

A community leader and one of the persons at the forefront of the struggle for compensation, Prince Celestine Awor, said though the company was expected to bring development to the community, the people must be properly integrated in the running of the outfit as well as paid their necessary royalties.

He said: “Today there is a lot of excitement. I believe something good will come out of it. What you have seen here is something that will generate employment. The struggle is to ensure that this investment does not frustrate us.”