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Lauds BIPC for driving Alia’s industrial revolution
From Scholastica Hir, 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 Iormem Alia.
The lawmakers gave the commendation after a tour of key BIPC facilities, including Benfruits, Benval, the BIPC Eco-City Estate, and 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.
Hon. Dugeri called on the government to support the company with funding to enable it to deliver more effectively on the governor’s strategic economic direction.
Dugeri also pledged sustained legislative collaboration to support BIPC’s initiatives, including efforts to recover the Benue Hotel and Sheraton Hotel, revive the JS Tarka Foundation, and enact enabling laws.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Finance Mathew Damkor commended the current management for its initiatives and urged them to sustain the momentum.
He specifically lauded the quality of ongoing work at the Eco-City Estate and assured continued legislative support.
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 for the company.
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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 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, hence the government is creating a value chain ecosystem and backwards integration that benefits farmers, entrepreneurs, and the wider population.”
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 Benue Hotel, he revealed that BIPC will soon issue a 90-day ultimatum to the lessee of the hotel and other government assets currently not performing, and they are holding them for economic sabotage, stressing that the lessee should fully utilise the facility or risk revocation.
The GMD noted that such acts were fraudulently done without Board resolution and EXCO approval, as the lessee lacks the capacity to handle such assets, yet certificates of occupancy were given to the lessee in the Company Name. He noted that the assets have the potential to employ over 400 youths and should not remain underutilised.
The Group Managing Director further told the Assembly that efforts are underway to develop a sustainable framework and a clear successor 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.
