The Cross River government has officially handed over the defunct Cross River Rubber Estate Limited (CREL) to Biase Plantations Limited, describing it as a symbol of renewal and economic transformation.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Uyangha, Akamkpa Local Government Area (LGA) on Tuesday, Governor Bassey Out, said that the state regained control of an 8,521-hectare rubber estate through a high court judgement.

Represented by Johnson Ebokpo, the state commissioner for agriculture and irrigation development, Mr Otu explained that a High Court in Calabar issued the consent judgement on the estate.

He described the move as ‘’a major step towards reviving the state’s agricultural sector’’ and thanked all the parties involved, especially the state attorney general and the legal teams for facilitating the smooth transition.

He said that the new operators planned to turn the estate into a large-scale oil palm plantation, generate jobs, boost rural economies, and increase the state’s gross domestic product (GDP).

He urged Biase Plantations to prioritise local employment, uphold corporate social responsibility (CSR) and maintain peaceful relationships with host communities.

In his remarks, General Manager of Biase Plantations Ltd, Arumugam Ananth, a subsidiary of Wilmar International, said that it had renamed the rubber estate to ‘’Uyangha Oil Palm Estate.’’

He appreciated the state’s trust and pledged to restore the estate, announcing plans to reopen the estate’s school, establish a training centre, and create jobs for the locals.

On his part, the paramount ruler of Akamkpa, HRM Ophot Agbor Ebani, lauded the initiative, calling on the company to fulfil its promises.

Some of the community leaders, youth and women’s representatives expressed hope that the rebranded estate would usher in a new era of growth and opportunity.

Earlier, a formal asset transfer meeting was held in Calabar, where legal documents were passed from Enghaut Nigeria Ltd to the Ministry of Agriculture, overseen by officials from both parties. 

(NAN)