Benue juice factory testifies to state’s food basket status – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has described the establishment of the Benfruit Concentrate Plant as a testament to Benue’s reputation as the “Food Basket of the Nation”.

Mr Tinubu made the remark on Saturday while commissioning the Benfruit Concentrate Plant, a project of Bensono Fruit Processing Company, as part of activities marking the state’s 50th anniversary.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the President commended Gov. Hyacinth Alia for the achievement, describing the project as a major step towards job creation, industrialisation and increased foreign exchange earnings.

He urged the state government to sustain investment in agriculture and congratulated the people of Benue on the state’s golden jubilee, encouraging the establishment of more industries to drive economic growth.

Speaking at the event, Mr Alia said his administration had made significant progress in industrial development through investments in projects such as the Benue Brewery and the BenFruit processing plant.

The governor urged owners of citrus orchards to expand production to meet the growing demand for raw materials, expressing confidence that farmers would benefit from improved incomes.

According to him, the factory will create employment opportunities for youths, boost farmers’ earnings and strengthen the state’s agricultural value chain.

Mr Alia said Benue, at 50, remained on the path of development and expressed optimism that the state would achieve greater progress in the years ahead.

He commended the Group Managing Director of Benue Investment and Property Company, BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, and the company’s board for their commitment to actualising the project.

Earlier, Mr Asemakaha said the Benfruit project was established to address the long-standing challenge of post-harvest losses through modern processing technology.

He said the partnership between BIPC and SONO Group would create jobs across the agricultural and industrial value chains, provide a reliable market for farmers’ produce and increase their incomes.

According to him, the partnership also demonstrates the Benue government’s commitment to using strategic public-private partnerships to drive industrial growth, reduce waste, promote exports and improve the livelihoods of the people.
NAN