There is excitement in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, as Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) begins the test run of operations at the Benfruits company, a juice processing plant revitalised under the leadership of Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the Executive Governor of the state.
BIPC management had announced on Tuesday, October 14, that it will commence test-run operations of the company in fulfilment of the promise made by Dr Raymond Asenakaha Jnr., Group Managing Director (GMD) of BIPC, to deliver the company by October this year.
As early as 1:30 pm on Wednesday, October 15, enthusiastic Makurdi residents began gathering at the Benfruits factory, located at Industrial Layout, Makurdi.
“Savouring the freshness of orange juice at Benfruits Company, situated at Industrial Layout, Makurdi. Kudos to Governor Alia and MD Raymond Asemakaha Jr.,” an elated Mr Solomon Jebu said, while sipping from his cup of fresh juice from the factory.
“The finished product is mind-blowing,” Mr Akume Raphael said.
Mr Jem Vershima sarcastically put it: “Another missing pot of soup has been found again at Industrial Layout, Naka Road, Makurdi, as the testing of Benfruit processing factory by BIPC is ongoing. Alia is working.”
His comment serves as a reminder about remarks attributed to Mr Mathias Byuan, who is holding talks with certain sections of the state for the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 governorship ticket, as Fr. Alia has allegedly disappeared with their “daddy’s” pot of money.
Speaking after the test run, Dr Asemakaha Jnr said the development “marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to promoting agro-industrial growth, job creation, and value addition to Benue’s rich agricultural produce.”
He promised that with time, Benue produce will no longer leave the state unprocessed, even as he expressed satisfaction that Benue farmers can now get value for their produce.
TNT understands that Benfruits is designed to process mangoes, oranges, and pineapples, creating employment opportunities and driving economic growth.
Meanwhile, BIPC has announced vacancies for employment in the Food Basket Brewery. The brewery is another signature project of the Fr. Alia administration.
