Biase youths frown against marginalisation by Wilmar Palm estate

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Owai Obo|7 February 2017

No fewer than 100 youths from Idoma, Betem, Igbofia and Akpet-Egbai in Biase Local Government Areas of Cross River State, on Wednesday 1st February, 2017 protested against alleged marginalisation by management of Wilmar Palm Estate popular known as IBIAE Palm Estate.

The youths were armed with placards of various inscriptions which read: “We can't remain as slave in our land; “We want Employment; “IBIAE Youths Says No to Land Grabbing; “Mr. Stephen Ebong Must Leave If Wilmar Want to Succeed; “Local Content Agreement Not signed before operation; “Wilmar Contracts are handled by their Staff alone and lots of other writes up.

According to the Youth President, Mr. Daniel Enang while speaking on behalf of the aggrieved youths, said that the company has marginalized the youths in the landlord communities and this marginalization has brought untold hardship on the youths in the area as youths are unemployed and their land seized with little or none left for farming activities which serve as the main source of livelihood.

“We have youths who are graduates and technicians and are willing to work for Wilmar, but they prefer to hire people outside the Cross River State and Biase in particular to work with them.

“Several letters have been written to different authorities and directives given to her(Wilmar Management) for an urgent attention on the plight of the youths, yet they all fall on deaf hears.

“All we are saying is that we need employment and contracts for our youths, Elder Aning Ojah another youth leader from Ibogo community said.

Owai Obo
Writes from Calabar