Chief Enu Caesar has called on stakeholders in the ongoing dispute over Nsadop Oil Palm Estate and Borum Boki Plantation in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State to embrace dialogue, warning that continued confrontation and legal battles may further delay development in the area.
Caesar believes that rather than allowing the disagreement over the handover of the two oil palm estates to divide the host communities, stakeholders should come together with the Cross River State Government, PRESCO Plc and the lawyers representing the affected communities to find a lasting solution.
His position is that the people of Boki stand a better chance of protecting their interests through a common front than through prolonged confrontation.
“Why go confrontational when you can dialogue?” is the central question behind his call for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
The dispute over the estates dates back to 1963 and 1964, when communities in the area reportedly leased thousands of hectares of land to the defunct Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation (ENDC) for oil palm development.
According to the account of the dispute, Nsadop, Abakang and Etikpe communities leased 5,528 hectares, while Borum, Oku, Osokom and Irruan communities leased another 4,670 hectares.
A total of 12,008 hectares were reportedly developed into Nsadop Estate, while more than 1,500 hectares were left undeveloped. The Borum Estate dispute also involves land that community stakeholders say remains undeveloped.
The host communities have maintained that the defunct ENDC and the Cross River State Government, which inherited the estate and its associated obligations, failed to settle outstanding ground rent and compensation for economic trees as agreed.
In 2004, a consent judgment was reportedly reached at the Ikom High Court, under which the state government agreed to pay outstanding rent of N611,304,750 in instalments. The communities claim that only N5 million was paid in respect of Nsadop.
The matter has resurfaced following the Cross River State Government's decision under Governor Bassey Otu to hand over the estates to PRESCO Plc for rehabilitation and renewed oil palm production.
While some community leaders have welcomed the arrangement, others have opposed the handover and taken the matter to court, seeking N500 million in damages over the disputed transaction.
The disagreement has effectively divided stakeholders into those who favour dialogue and cooperation with the investor and those who believe legal action is necessary to protect the communities' interests.
The pro-dialogue position has been associated with the Clan Head of Nsadop, HRH Otu Michael Owan, and Otu-Butu Andrew Owan, representing the clan leadership of Osokom, Borum, Irruan and Oku. Those supporting this approach have expressed interest in examining the memorandum of understanding governing the arrangement to ensure that the interests of the host communities are protected.
On the other side, some traditional leaders and stakeholders from Nsadop and the diaspora have challenged the handover through legal action, insisting that the outstanding issues surrounding the estates must be addressed.
Caesar's position is that neither side should allow the disagreement to destroy the unity needed to negotiate better terms for the people.
He wants the state government, PRESCO and the lawyers representing the host communities to sit together and address the outstanding issues, including the payment of old ground rent arrears, employment opportunities for youths, community royalties and the terms of the memorandum of understanding.
He also wants discussions to cover the return or proper resolution of claims concerning undeveloped portions of the estates, including the approximately 1,500 hectares associated with Nsadop and the 2,640 hectares reportedly associated with Borum Estate.
For him, the issue is not simply whether PRESCO should manage the estates, but whether the host communities can secure fair treatment, lasting benefits and clear commitments from all parties involved.
The call for dialogue also comes against the background of previous disagreements over the estates. In 2017, a dispute involving Oku, Borum, Irruan and Osokom over control of Borum Palm Estate reportedly resulted in violent clashes and deaths, prompting a judicial commission of inquiry under the administration of former Governor Ben Ayade.
The history of the dispute has strengthened concerns that another prolonged confrontation could deepen divisions among the host communities and make it more difficult to reach a lasting settlement.
Caesar's argument is that development requires unity and that communities negotiating together are better positioned to demand jobs, infrastructure, royalties and the settlement of outstanding obligations than communities divided into opposing camps.
His position also reflects a broader call by stakeholders across Ikom, Boki, Obubra and Etung for greater cooperation as a condition for development in Cross River Central Senatorial District.
The central question, therefore, is whether the government, PRESCO and the host communities can establish a common negotiating platform that addresses the old liabilities while protecting the future interests of the landlords.
“Development waits for nobody, but we will continue to eat and dine with underdevelopment for using the wrong approach,” is the message behind Caesar's warning.
For the people of Nsadop, Borum, Oku, Osokom, Irruan, Abakang and Etikpe, the challenge remains how to resolve decades of disagreement without sacrificing their land interests, economic opportunities and hopes for development.
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