By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The leadership of the Benue State House of Assembly has commended the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) for its commitment to advancing the industrialisation agenda of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The lawmakers gave the commendation after touring key BIPC facilities, including Benfruits, Benval, the BIPC Eco-City Estate and the Food Basket Brewery.
The delegation, led by the Majority Leader, Hon. Thomas Dugeri, praised the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, as well as the management and staff, for their role in transforming the state’s economic landscape.
Dugeri called on the government to provide funding support to enable the company to deliver more effectively on the governor’s strategic economic direction.
He also pledged sustained legislative collaboration to support BIPC’s initiatives, including efforts to recover the Benue Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, revive the JS Tarka Foundation and enact enabling laws.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Mathew Damkor, commended the current management for its initiatives and urged it to sustain the momentum. He specifically lauded the quality of ongoing work at the Eco-City Estate and assured continued legislative support.
In his remarks, the BIPC Group Managing Director, Dr Asemakaha, presented a detailed report on the company’s progress and challenges, urging the Assembly to provide the necessary backing.
He disclosed that the company has initiated several ventures, including bread production, water packaging, nail manufacturing, a printing press and electric taxi services to stimulate economic activities.
He further explained that, with support from the state government, BIPC has built a brewery and the Benva Juice Factory and revived Benfruits, noting that the projects are expected to be commissioned next month.
“His Excellency’s administration recognises that agriculture alone, without value addition, cannot fully unlock the state’s economic potential. By establishing industries that process local raw materials, the government is creating a value chain ecosystem and backward integration that benefits farmers, entrepreneurs and the wider population,” he said.
According to him, the three factories to be commissioned can employ over 1,500 people, with secondary market opportunities anticipated once the fruit juice factories become operational.
Asemakaha also appealed to the Assembly to fast-track legislation establishing a Benue Commodity Exchange, which he said would regulate the agro-market, stabilise prices and ensure farmers receive fair value for their produce.
On the Benue Hotel, he revealed that BIPC will soon issue a 90-day ultimatum to the lessee of the hotel and other underperforming government assets, warning that such facilities must be fully utilised or risk revocation.
The GMD noted that some of the leases were fraudulently executed without board resolution and Executive Council approval, stressing that the lessees lack the capacity to manage such assets, despite having certificates of occupancy issued in their company names.
He added that the assets have the potential to employ over 400 youths and should not remain underutilised.
The GMD further told the Assembly that efforts are underway to develop a sustainable framework and a clear succession plan for the organisation.
Earlier, the Head of Business Development and Strategy at BIPC, Theresa Abeda, thanked the Assembly for the visit and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to continued collaboration for the overall development of the state.
