By Chinyere Anyanwu
Under a Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) framework expected to lead to the cultivation of over 30,000 hectares of mechanised farmland, the Benue State government has signed a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Rexzodeneh Group Limited (RGL), that would deliver a multi-sectoral National Food City Complex in the Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The project will as well lead to the establishment of agro-processing facilities for crops such as rice, cassava, maize and soybeans.
Under the framework, the state government would also provide the land and other critical infrastructure for the actualisation of the project, while RGL would finance, build and manage the facility for 25 years before transferring its ownership to the state.
The state government is also planning to deploy a renewable energy infrastructure with a generation capacity of up to 25 megawatts to power operations at the site of the project. Other infrastructure that would be domiciled within the project site will be among others a clinic, roads, houses for staff as well as warehouse facilities.
During the signing of the agreement in Makurdi, thr State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof. Moses Ogbaji, pointed out that the project was an outcome of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s policy direction to industrialise agriculture, improve food security and unlock rural prosperity through private capital and innovation.
He said, “this agreement reflects Governor Alia’s policy thrust to industrialise agriculture for jobs, food sufficiency and rural development. We are confident this project will deliver immense value.
“But let me be clear: the state government will not hesitate to enforce contractual obligations if delivery timelines are not met,” Ogbaji warned.
Also speaking at the occasion, Executive Secretary, Benue Investment Promotion Agency (BENIPA), Terhemen Kpenkaan, who mid-wifed the process, explained that “following the MoU signed in April, we activated a robust due diligence process involving technical appraisals, regulatory clearances and financial verification, including confirmation of funding capacity from the participating banks.
“This agreement is a result of that thorough groundwork. It is historic, given that it is the first formal PPP agreement in the 49 years’ existence of Benue as a state; and it sets a new benchmark for credible, investor-ready engagements as a hallmark of the Governor Alia-led administration,” the ES noted.
In his remarks at the occasion, Kennedy Angbo, member, Benue State House of Assembly, representing Otukpo/Akpa Constituency, thanked Governor Alia for siting the project in Otukpo, describing it as a transformative opportunity for the zone.
“This project guarantees food sufficiency, jobs and renewed opportunity for our people. We will ensure maximum support from the host community,” he assured.
Responding, the Managing Director of Rexzodeneh Group, Femi Apata, appreciated the governor and other stakeholders for their support and pledged that tangible progress would be seen within 90 days.
His words: “This project has been in development for three years. We now have the platform to deliver meaningful impact across agriculture, energy and job creation in Benue.’
The Commissioner for Agriculture, signed the agreement on behalf of the state government, while the chairman, RGL Group, signed on behalf of the private sector.