Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) on Saturday, June 27, commissioned the multi-billion-dollar fruit concentrate plant in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The concentrate plant, Bensono Fruit Processing Company Limited, is a landmark agro-processing investment by the Benue State Government aimed at boosting value addition, job creation, and industrial development in the state.
PBAT was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila. He acknowledged that the factory is significant for job creation and will contribute to foreign exchange earnings.
He commended the Governor of Benue State, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for what he called his “industrialisation efforts.”
According to Fr. Alia, the factory will curtail the wastage Benue fruit farmers experience and boost the local economy.
While expressing the hope that farmers will plant more fruit trees, the governor is optimistic that in no distant time, Benue farmers will begin to smile at the banks.
He assured that more economically viable projects and dividends of democracy are on the way for the people of the state.
Giving insight into the factory, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr Raymond Asemakaha, said the multi-billion dollar investment, the only factory of such nature in Africa, will generate 600 direct jobs and 5860 indirect jobs.
He explained that the factory is designed to produce 4 tons of concentrate per hour and 40 tons per day, with 10 hours of production.
Meanwhile, Fr. Alia has declared free juice for the masses of Benue State as part of the celebration of the new factory.
