Tinubu Hails Benfruit Plant, Says It Strengthens Benue’s Food Basket Status
President Bola Tinubu has described the newly commissioned Benfruit Concentrate Plant as a major milestone that reinforces Benue State’s reputation as the “Food Basket of the Nation.”
Speaking on Saturday through his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, during the inauguration of the Benfruit Concentrate Plant, a project of Bensono Fruit Processing Company, the President said the facility would drive economic growth, create jobs and boost Nigeria’s industrial sector. The event formed part of activities marking Benue State’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Tinubu praised Governor Hyacinth Alia for championing the project, noting that the investment would promote industrialisation, increase foreign exchange earnings and provide employment opportunities for residents. He also urged the state government to sustain investments in agriculture and expand industrial development across the state.
Congratulating the people of Benue on the state’s golden jubilee, the President encouraged the establishment of more industries capable of transforming the agricultural sector and improving livelihoods.
Governor Hyacinth Alia said his administration had recorded significant achievements in industrial development through strategic investments, including the Benue Brewery and the Benfruit processing plant.
He called on citrus farmers to increase production to meet the factory’s growing demand for raw materials, expressing confidence that the project would improve farmers’ incomes while creating jobs for young people.
According to the governor, the processing plant will strengthen Benue’s agricultural value chain, reduce post-harvest losses and contribute to the state’s long-term economic development.
Alia also commended the Group Managing Director of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, and the company’s board for their commitment to delivering the project.
Earlier, Dr. Asemakaha explained that the Benfruit project was conceived to address the challenge of post-harvest losses by introducing modern fruit processing technology.
He added that the partnership between BIPC and SONO Group would create employment across the agricultural and industrial value chains, provide a reliable market for farmers’ produce, increase their earnings and promote exports through strategic public-private collaboration.
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