Benue’s Agro-Industrial Boom: Factories, Jobs, and Local Sourcing
The Benue State Government has announced plans to commence large-scale juice production by August 2025, spearheading a transformative agro-industrial agenda. Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, Managing Director of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), revealed the timeline during an inspection tour of key infrastructure projects aimed at boosting the state’s economy and reducing dependency on informal exports.
Key Projects Nearing Completion
- Juice Factory: Set to process Benue’s famed oranges (currently exported informally) starting August 2025.
- Beer Factory: 90% complete, using locally sourced rice and cassava to support farmers.
- Bread Factory: Operational for one year, generating ₦6 million daily and creating 474 direct jobs.
- Water Plant: Part of a 230,000-liter-per-day facility to improve access and industrial capacity.
“We’re tired of outsiders buying our oranges. Benue will now add value,” Asemakaha declared.
Economic Impact: Jobs and Local Integration
- Farmers Boost: Beer and juice production to directly source from Benue’s cassava, rice, and orange farmers.
- Job Creation: Over 3,500 direct/indirect jobs expected across factories and linked sectors.
- Revenue Growth: Bread sales hit ₦2.1 billion annually, showcasing self-sustaining models.
Infrastructure Tour: Hospitals, Waterworks, and Urban Renewal
Asemakaha’s inspection highlighted broader development efforts:
- Healthcare: Therapeutic Centre for Children, Benue State Cancer Centre (under construction), and Governor Alia’s Pharmaco-Surgical Complex.
- Urban Projects: Makurdi underpass, upgraded waterworks, and the Benue Agribusiness Mechanization Centre (with Mass International).
- Printing & Transport: Revitalized Benue Printing House and Benue Links Park.
Labaran Maku’s Vision: Decentralize Development
Former Information Minister Labaran Maku praised Governor Hyacinth Alia’s initiatives:
“Makurdi must drive regional growth. These projects prove state capitals can rival Lagos or Kano.”
- Urban Renewal: Called Benue’s layout “one of Nigeria’s best-planned,” urging sustained investment.
- Equitable Growth: Stressed need for all regions to thrive, not just federal hubs.
Why This Matters
- Diversification: Shifts Benue from raw agro-exports to value-added industries.
- Job Surge: Addresses youth unemployment in Nigeria’s “Food Basket.”
- National Blueprint: Models how states can leverage local resources for self-reliance.
Final Note:
With juice production weeks away and breweries rising, Benue is scripting a bold chapter in Nigeria’s agro-industrial story—one that could inspire a nationwide shift toward decentralized, resource-driven growth.
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