President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the 40,000-metric-ton-per-day fruit concentrate processing plant of Bensono Fruits Processing Company Limited in Makurdi, describing the project as a major step towards boosting agricultural value addition and industrial development in Benue State.
The President, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said the investment aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector through processing, industrialisation and job creation.
He noted that the plant’s production capacity would generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulate economic activities, increase foreign exchange earnings and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fruit concentrate.
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President Tinubu commended the Benue State Government and the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) for advancing industrialisation, urging residents to support Governor Hyacinth Alia’s efforts to make Benue an industrial hub.
The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, described the facility as a game-changer for the state’s agricultural economy, saying it would significantly reduce the post-harvest losses that have plagued fruit farmers for decades, while providing a ready market for their produce.
According to the governor, the factory will supply both domestic and international markets, adding that it is one of several industrial projects completed under his administration over the past three years.
He listed the fruit concentrate plant, fruit juice factory and Food Basket Brewery among the key projects delivered by his administration, noting that they would strengthen the state’s economy, improve the livelihoods of orchard farmers and create employment opportunities for young people.
Earlier, BIPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, said the plant would reduce fruit wastage through local processing and produce concentrate for local use and export.
He added that it would cut Nigeria’s fruit concentrate import bill, which stood at about $68 million last year.
