By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The Benue Fruit Juice Industry has roared back to life with a successful test run of juice production on Tuesday after years of dormancy.
Our correspondent reports that the reactivation of the industry signals a breakthrough in the state’s industrial revival efforts.
The factory, located at the Industrial Layout along Naka Road, had been nonfunctional for years until the Benue State Government, through the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), partnered with global juice production experts, Sono Company, to restore operations.
Sono under the agreement, would manage the plant for 15 years as part of a revitalisation initiative aimed at boosting local production, creating jobs, and improving the state’s internally generated revenue.
Speaking during the test production, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, said the initiative was designed to give Benue farmers value for their produce while positioning the state as an emerging hub for agro-industrial development.
“What we want to do is ensure our farmers have value for their oranges. We want to show the world that Benue can do it and that the state is on the rise.
“This will employ hundreds of youths, grow our economy, and even generate export opportunities through orange oil extract and organic fertilizer from the chaff,” Asemakaha said.
He noted that the successful test run met the October target earlier set for commencement of production, adding that full-scale operations will commence once working capital is secured.
Project Engineer, Henry Boager, explained that the revived plant will drastically reduce post-harvest losses and guarantee better returns for farmers.
He added that by-products from the production process will serve the pharmaceutical and organic fertilizer industries, ensuring zero waste in operations.
Those who witnessed the test production hailed the initiative, saying that it marks a promising milestone in Benue’s renewed drive toward agro-industrial growth and economic diversification.
