Benue’s industrial revolution gains momentum as Tinubu opens Bensono fruit processing plant

Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on Saturday commissioned the 40,000-metric-ton-per-day concentrate plant of Bensono Fruits Processing Company Limited in Makurdi, marking another significant milestone in Benue State’s quest for industrial development and agricultural transformation.

The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila,

described the project as a timely investment that aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector through value addition and industrial processing.

According to President Tinubu, the plant’s massive daily processing capacity will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulate economic activities, increase foreign exchange earnings and reduce the country’s dependence on imported fruit concentrate.

He commended the Benue State Government and the management of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) for their determination in driving the state’s industrial revolution and urged the people to continue supporting Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s efforts to reposition Benue as a major industrial hub in Nigeria.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Governor Hyacinth Alia said the concentrate plant would significantly reduce the post-harvest losses that have plagued fruit farmers in the state for decades by providing a ready market for their produce.

The governor noted that products from the factory would serve both domestic and international markets, adding that the project was among several industries completed under his administration in the last three years.

He listed the concentrate plant, fruit juice factory and Food Basket Brewery as key industrial projects already delivered by his government, stressing that they would strengthen the state’s economy, improve the livelihoods of orchard farmers and create employment opportunities for thousands of Benue youths.

Governor Alia commended the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, CFA, as well as the company’s board and staff for their commitment and dedication in bringing the long-abandoned project to completion.

He assured the people of Benue that his administration remained committed to attracting more investments and delivering additional developmental projects across the state.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, said the plant would drastically reduce post-harvest fruit waste while meeting local demand and producing fruit concentrate for export.

He disclosed that Nigeria spent about $68 billion on imported fruit concentrate last year and expressed confidence that the new facility would significantly cut the nation’s import dependence.

Dr. Asemakaha described the factory as one of the largest and most modern fruit concentrate plants in West Africa, with a processing capacity of 40,000 metric tons per day.

He further explained that apart from producing concentrate for juice manufacturing, the plant’s by-products would be converted into organic fertilizer, ensuring a zero-waste production process.

The BIPC boss thanked Governor Alia for reviving a project that had suffered more than 18 years of neglect and turning it into a reality capable of transforming Benue’s agricultural and industrial landscape.

Dignitaries who witnessed the commissioning included former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, elder statesman Chief Barnabas Gemade, BIPC Board Chairman Chief (Mrs.) Elizabeth Shuluwa, Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Aondoaver Emberga, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, investors and other stakeholders.