A former Chairman of Akoko South West Local Government and immediate past Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Ondo State chapter, Hon. Augustine Oloruntogbe, has turned down his appointment as a member of the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Board, citing personal and professional commitments.

In a letter, Oloruntogbe not only declined the appointment but also drew the attention of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to what he described as the alleged imposition of illegal levies on cocoa farmers in the state.

The former council chairman appreciated the governor for finding him worthy of the appointment, describing it as a privilege and a demonstration of confidence in his ability to contribute to the state’s agricultural development.

His appointment was among those recently announced by the Ondo State Government following the inauguration of the Cocoa Revolution and Management Board, a body established to drive the state’s cocoa sector reform agenda.

While expressing support for the administration’s Cocoa Revolution initiative, which seeks to boost cocoa production, improve farmers’ livelihoods and restore Ondo State’s leadership in cocoa production, Oloruntogbe said he would be unable to accept the appointment because of pressing personal and professional commitments.

According to him, “After careful reflection and consultation, I have decided, with the highest respect, to honourably decline the offer to serve on the Board at this time due to pressing personal and professional commitments that will not allow me to give the assignment the full attention and dedication it deserves.”

However, beyond declining the appointment, Oloruntogbe urged the governor to investigate what he described as the alleged illegal collection of levies from cocoa farmers operating within the Ose Game Reserve in Oka Akoko.

He alleged that farmers had complained that as much as N150,000 was being collected from each farmer into a private account without the issuance of official government receipts.

The former ALGON chairman called on the state government to investigate the allegation and ensure that all levies and payments within the cocoa value chain are transparent, properly documented and remitted into designated government accounts.

He argued that addressing the allegations would not only protect cocoa farmers from exploitation but also strengthen public confidence in the implementation of the state’s Cocoa Revolution Agenda.

The letter read: “This recognition is deeply humbling, and I commend Your Excellency’s bold Cocoa Revolution Agenda aimed at repositioning agriculture, boosting farmers’ livelihoods and restoring Ondo State’s leadership in cocoa production.

“After careful reflection and consultation, I have decided, with the highest respect, to honourably decline the offer to serve on the Board at this time due to pressing personal and professional commitments that will not allow me to give the assignment the full attention and dedication it deserves.

“In the spirit of supporting the success of the Cocoa Revolution, I also wish to respectfully bring to Your Excellency’s attention a matter of urgent concern raised by cocoa farmers in Oka Akoko who farm within the Ose Game Reserve.

“There are allegations of the collection of huge sums amounting to N150,000 per farmer into a private account, without any official receipt being issued.

“I respectfully urge the state government to look into this matter and ensure that all levies and payments within the cocoa value chain are properly documented, transparent and channelled through official government accounts.

“This will protect our farmers and strengthen trust in the reforms your administration is driving.” (Nigerian Tribune)