Benue State Deputy Governor, Barr. Sam Ode and the Commissioner of Commerce, Trade, and Investment, Hon. Alumo Orpin, on Tuesday undertook an inspection tour of ongoing construction work at the BIPC Food Basket Brewery in Akile, as well as the Benval and Benfruits factories located at the Industrial Layout in Makurdi.
During the visit, Deputy Governor Sam Ode lauded the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) for driving the state government’s industrialization and economic diversification agenda under the leadership of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
The Deputy Governor noted that upon completion, the factories will create employment opportunities, boost internally generated revenue (IGR), and provide a reliable market for Benue farmers through backward integration.
Ode also encouraged the BIPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha-CFA, to sustain the momentum and ensure timely delivery of the projects.
Commerce Commissioner, Alumo Orpin expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, particularly the road infrastructure within the brewery premises. He praised the contractor for maintaining standards and revealed plans to bring the State Executive Council to inspect the site within the next two weeks.
“I’m impressed with the progress made since our last visit six months ago. I believe the Council will be amazed at what is happening here,” he said.
The Commissioner further thanked Governor Alia for revitalizing the state’s industrial sector and urged BIPC to carefully document each phase of the project for public record and future reference.
Contractor handling the brewery’s road works, Daher Kawerma of H&R Construction, assured stakeholders of compliance with project specifications. He disclosed that major groundwork, including hardcore laying, culvert installations, and concrete work, had been completed, with sand filling and tarring set to begin soon.
BIPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha-CFA, emphasized the need for the contractor to expedite the completion of culverts to allow for the installation of machinery arriving next week.
He affirmed the company’s production timeline, stating, “Benfruits will begin production in July, Benva Juice Factory by September 1st, snd Zeva Brewery is set to commence operations on October 1st.”
