Chinese expatriate, Engineer Luo, has arrived at the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) to begin the installation of industrial machines at the long-awaited Food Basket Brewery.
Engineer Luo, who is being assisted by his Nigerian counterpart, Engineer Henry Boager, assured that the installation would be completed within the next 45 days, paving the way for the brewery’s official take-off on October 1st.
“We will be working tirelessly. We’ll work 24 hours to make sure that we deliver on the target,” he said. “Within the 45 days, we will complete the job. All the things we need are available. The machines are intact and we’re arranging and following the schematic step by step. We will carry out test runs at every stage before moving to the next.”
The Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha-CFA, who expressed satisfaction with the progress, noted that the installation of the brewery is in line with the state’s vision of industrial growth under Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia administration.
“The manufacturers are already here, and as you can see, installation has begun,” Dr. Asemakaha said. “We have a dream and we have worked hard on it. Today, you can see that dream becoming reality. Let me take out time to appreciate His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for creating a future for the state.
“Just like President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the South-East Investment Company (SEIC), with an initial take off capital of N150 billion to drive private capital, accelerate industrialisation to enhance competitiveness in the Region. Here in Benue, Governor Alia has led the industrialization road map that will turn around the fortunes of the state economy.
“We are working on three companies simultaneously: the Brewery, Benval Juice, and Benfruits. Together, these companies will employ over 1,500 youths directly and create more than 4,000 indirect jobs. We are also planning backward integration with Benue farmers, so we are encouraging people to farm cassava and sorghum, which will serve as raw materials.”
The GMD further revealed that BIPC has so far taken delivery of 31 containers of equipment and materials out of the 50 expected from the People’s Republic of China.
“So far, we have received 31 trucks of machines, materials, pallets, bottles, crates, and other accessories,” he explained.
Also speaking, the Operations Consultant of the brewery, Mr. Emmanuel Adoje, said that preparations were in top gear and that the company is set to hit the ground running once installation is concluded.
“The brewery is awaiting the completion of the installation and is ready to take off operations on the 1st of October,” he assured.
The Food Basket Brewery is part of BIPC’s broader investment drive to reposition Benue State as an industrial hub in Nigeria. With the promise of job creation, support for local agriculture, and stimulation of the state’s economy.
