SEO Riders:
– Cross River reclaims 8,500 ha of former CREL estate, hands to Biase Plantations Ltd.
– Asset recovery follows legal settlement and revocation of Enghaut’s C of O.
– New operator pledges jobs, CSR projects, smallholder inclusion and environmental upgrades.
Cross River State Government has officially reclaimed ownership of the defunct Cross River Rubber Estate Limited (CREL)—comprising some 8,500 hectares—following a April 2025 legal settlement and revocation of Enghaut Industries’ Certificate of Occupancy. During a July 2025 ceremony in Uyangha, Governor Bassey Otu handed the land over to Biase Plantations Limited, a subsidiary of Wilmar International, owning to revitalize the dormant assets and reposition the estate as a large-scale oil-palm plantation. The handover was overseen by community leaders and government officials, who welcomed the move as a milestone for sustainable agriculture and economic renewal. Commissioner Johnson Ebokpo emphasized the gesture as a sign of renewal, accountability, and sustainable economic transformation.
Wilmar’s local unit confirmed plans to rehabilitate the estate, restore schools, establish training centres, create jobs, and engage smallholder farmers under an inclusive value-chain model . Governor Otu urged operators to uphold high standards of corporate responsibility, transparent employment, and active community integration . The agreement also secured compensation to host communities and includes commitments from the state to support infrastructure and energy supply during the estate’s development. The transition marks a key step in unlocking the region’s agricultural potential and reviving neglected public assets for community growth.
