BEAN TO BRAND, TARIFF TO TRAP by Lawson Akhigbe

Next in Abuja, four governments will do something that sounds, on paper, like a belated act of economic self-respect. Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon between them the source of roughly two-thirds of the cocoa that becomes the world's chocolate will sign the Abuja Declaration and stand up a Cocoa Value Addition Alliance, a coordinated attempt to stop shipping out raw beans and start capturing some of the value that currently accrues, almost entirely, to everyone else. Nigeria will additionally sign its own Cocoa Value Addition Accord, a domestic compact roping in governors, farmer groups, financiers and researchers into the project of turning bean into brand rather than bean into someone else's bar.

Thurrock Labour reveal wining team to fight local elections in May – YourThurrock

THURROCK Labour have begun to announce their prospective council candidates for the May 2018 local elections. Labour will field candidates in all 16 wards with elections. A third of the council seats are up for election, and will decide the balance of a council that has been in no overall control since 2014 and led …

Thurrock Council suspend controversial “Grass Tax” charges – YourThurrock

THE Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, (Little Thurrock and Rectory ward) has today (Tuesday 26 September) announced the temporary suspension of the grounds maintenance service charge for council tenants. Cllr Gledhill, who is responsible for council housing in the borough, said: “I have received more detailed information, have listened to tenants and other …