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Tor Vande-Acka
MAKURDI – President Bola Tinubu, last weekend flagged off the Benfruit Concentrate Plant in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Describing the Plant as a testament to Benue’s reputation as the “Food Basket of the Nation”, the president argued that the establishment of the factory is a major step towards job creation.
Tinubu who made the remark while commissioning Bensono Fruit Processing Company, as part of activities to mark the anniversary of Benue at 50th, observed that the development would also bring about industrialisation and increased foreign exchange earnings.
Represented by the Chief of Staff (CoS), Femi Gbajabiamila, Tinubu commended Governor Hyacinth Alia, for the achievement, describing the project as a major step towards job creation, he advised the state government to sustain investments in the agricultural sector.
Observing that increased foreign exchange earnings and industrialization were catalysts to growth, the president encouraged the state government to establish more industries to drive economic growth.
He also urged the state government to sustain investment in agriculture and congratulated the people of Benue on it’s golden jubilee.
In his remarks at the occasion, the State Governor Hyacinth Alia said his administration had made significant progress in industrial development through investments in projects such as Benue Brewery and the Benfruit processing plant.
According to him, the factory would create employment opportunities for the youth, boost farmers’ earnings and strengthen the state’s agricultural value chain.
Alia, therefore urged owners of citrus orchards to expand production to meet the growing demand for raw materials, expressing confidence that farmers would benefit from improved incomes.
He explained that at 50, Benue is on the path of development and expressed optimism that the state would achieve greater progress in the years ahead.
He commended the Group Managing Director (GMD), Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr Raymond Asemakaha, and the company’s board for their commitment to actualising the project.
Earlier, the GMD, BIPC, de Raymond Asemakaha, explained that the project was established to address long-standing challenges of post-harvest losses through modern processing technology.
He further stated that the partnership between BIPC and SONO Group would create jobs across the agricultural and industrial value chains, provide a reliable market for farmers’ produce and increase their incomes.
Furthermore, a explained that the partnership demonstrates the Benue Government’s commitment to using strategic public-private partnerships to drive industrial growth, reduce waste, promote exports and improve the livelihoods of the people.
