Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has expressed satisfaction with the level of completion and operational readiness of key industrial projects in the state, describing them as strategic investments that will accelerate economic growth, job creation, and industrial development.
He made the remarks on Friday during an inspection tour of the Bensono Concentrate Plant, Benva Juice Factory, and the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) Motorcycle Assembly Plant in Makurdi ahead of their official commissioning.
Chief Solomon Iorpev, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, quoted Alia as saying the projects form a critical part of his administration’s industrialization and economic transformation agenda aimed at positioning Benue as a leading centre for agro-processing, manufacturing, and value addition in Nigeria.
According to him, the facilities are expected to strengthen the state’s industrial base, create employment opportunities for youths, and stimulate economic activities across various sectors.
Speaking during the inspection, Governor Alia noted that the Bensono Concentrate Plant and Benva Juice Factory would provide lasting solutions to the challenge of post-harvest losses, which have continued to affect farmers and agricultural producers across the state.
He explained that the facilities would create a ready market for locally produced fruits and other agricultural commodities, thereby improving farmers’ incomes and encouraging increased agricultural productivity.
The governor added that the factories would boost activities along the agricultural value chain, enhance local processing capacity, and ensure that the economic benefits derived from Benue’s abundant agricultural resources are retained within the state.
“Benue is widely regarded as the food basket of the nation, and we must move beyond primary production to value addition. These projects are designed to ensure that our agricultural products are processed locally, creating jobs and generating wealth for our people,” he said.
Governor Alia further stated that his administration remains committed to developing industries capable of transforming the state’s economy and reducing dependence on federal allocations.
As part of the inspection tour, the governor also examined 525 motorcycles assembled at the BIPC Motorcycle Assembly Plant under a partnership arrangement between the Benue State Government and a Chinese manufacturing company.
The initiative, according to government officials, was facilitated during the administration’s investment mission to the People’s Republic of China in 2024 and is expected to contribute significantly to local manufacturing and technology transfer in the state.
Governor Alia described the motorcycle assembly project as evidence of the success of his administration’s investment drive and commitment to attracting credible investors into Benue.
He noted that beyond creating direct and indirect employment opportunities, the project would help stimulate small-scale businesses and support transportation services within and outside the state.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s determination to create an enabling environment for investment, encourage local production, increase internally generated revenue, and unlock the vast agricultural and industrial potential of Benue State.
He assured residents that more investment-focused initiatives would be introduced to drive sustainable development and improve the standard of living of the people.
The inspection tour comes ahead of the formal commissioning of the projects, which are expected to mark a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to build a diversified and resilient economy anchored on agriculture, manufacturing, and private sector participation.
Observers have described the projects as major steps towards transforming Benue from a predominantly agrarian state into a competitive agro-industrial hub capable of attracting investments and creating sustainable economic opportunities for its growing population.
