News Editor
… as Maku urges decentralized development across Nigeria, hails Alia’s urban drive
The Benue State Government has announced plans to commence large-scale juice production by August 2025, marking a significant step toward boosting agro-industrialization in the state.
The Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer, Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, disclosed this yesterday during an inspection tour of the state infrastructural projects.
The inspection tour covered a visit at Benue Links park, Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH’s” Gov Alia’s Pharmaco-surgical complex, Therapeutic centre for children with special needs and ongoing construction at Benue state Cancer center project.
Other areas visited included construction of 230,000 litre per day capacity water works, food Basket Brewery LTD, BiPC bread/water company, Benue state Agri business and mechanization center in partnership with mass international and equipment Nigeria limited, Benue Printing house, ongoing under pass in Makurdi and Juice company, amongst others.
Asemakaha provided an update on the company’s industrial initiatives aimed at boosting the local economy and creating jobs, reporting on site visits to several business units nearing completion, including a beer factory (90% complete), a juice factory (starting production in 90 days), a bread factory (operational for one year), and a water plant.
He said the beer company will be produced using local rice and cassava, promoting agricultural integration and supporting local farmers while the juice factory will utilise locally grown oranges, which are currently exported informally to neighboring countries.
Adding, he said the bread factory has become a source of livelihood for many women, with strong daily sales approximately N6 million, creating over 474 direct and 3,080 indirect jobs.
“We are trying as much as possible to introduce businesses that will help drive the economy, including governments. Local people will farm this cassava, they will farm this rice, they will come and take it. Now, we just visited the juice factory.
“That juice factory is also going to start in the next 90 days. We are tired of people coming to buy our orange. We have the best orange in the world today.”
Also speaking, a former Information Minister, Labaran Maku, called for a decentralized approach to development across Nigeria, stressing the need for equitable growth in all regions.
Maku commended Governor Alia for his significant interventions in the human and health sectors, as well as ongoing infrastructure projects, particularly in Makurdi, the state capital.
He described the developments as part of a commendable urban renewal effort, emphasising that state capitals like Makurdi should serve as hubs for regional economic growth.
He noted Makurdi’s well-planned layout and expressed optimism that continued progress would attract investment and promote settlement beyond cities like Lagos and Kano.
Maku urged contractors to maintain momentum so that future administrations can build on the current foundation. He concluded that, although the review of projects is still ongoing, the progress seen so far is encouraging and aligns with the broader development plan.
“This is what we call urban renewal. We believe that every of our 36 state capitals ought to be centres that command economic development in the surrounding regions. We believe that Makodi, one of the most planned cities, Makodi and Kadunia are the ones planned right from the beginning.
These cities were planned. These cities were well planned, and I think if what we see continues, and these projects are delivered, what number of road projects you have seen today have been delivered, the network has already been developed.”
“So if these projects continue, we believe that Makurdi will have the capacity to command investment, to command development, and usually all over the world, development follows the city.
“So we can’t continue to depend on Kano, Port Harcourt, Lagos, or Niger. Every state capital ought to be an economic nexus. So as we have to find development in these areas, I believe a lot of people who come to Libya, who want to settle here, they don’t all have to be in Lagos, they don’t have to go to Kano.
“So I believe that this is a very good beginning. We also have seen some other projects which we haven’t concluded, but from the road network that we have seen in Makuri today, there is quite a commendable intervention,” he added.
Earlier, Barr Omale Omale, the Commissioner for Transport and Power, said upon assuming office, Governor Rev. Dr. Hyacinth Alia found Benue links, the state-owned transport company, in a comatose state and nearly sold off.
But determined to revive it, he led an intervention through General Manager and provided 100 new buses to improve transportation, and the Ministry of Transportation implemented policies positioning Benue links as a model hub for public and private transport.
According to him, Key improvements include infrastructure upgrades like drainage and compound asphalting, diversification into haulage and mini-bus services, and securing permanent terminals in Abuja and Jos.
He said Plans are underway to launch water transport, starting with four donated cyber boats. These efforts, he said have significantly transformed the company.
“From the asphalting of the floor so that we reduce the moulding part of the compound, and then the drainage, which the GM, under his watch, has also caused to happen. Diversification of our operation, from what we used to have before now, to haulage services and mini-buses, and including ties, arrangements. And more importantly, under the directive of his Excellency, we have also, for the very first time, secured a permanent terminal for Benue links in Abuja, the federal capital city.
“And then, discussion is on top here. We personally own one in Joss, Platteau State, and beyond the road transportation. Beyond the road transportation, water transportation is on top here.”
The Acting General Manager of Benue Links Nigeria Limited, Comrade Alexander Fanafa said the Executive Governor significantly improved the transport sector through Benue links.
He said following the removal of fuel subsidy, which led to increased transport fares, the Governor intervened by donating 100 buses and directing fare reductions to ensure affordability for all Nigerians.
According to him, Benuelinks now offers cheaper fares compared to other transport providers, for instance, N10,000 to Abuja (AC buses) versus others charging N15,000–N20,000, and N22,000 to Lagos compared to N45,000 elsewhere.
Additionally, he said the government offers a 50% fare reduction for persons with disabilities, covering the remaining half of their fare, thereby promoting inclusivity.
Engr. Abenga Undu, director of works, speaking about the VIP Smart Clinic at BSU Teaching Hospital, said it is a comprehensive medical facility featuring 10 smart wards, a hydrotherapy unit with a swimming pool, a gym for physiotherapy, a diagnostic lab, and a scanning room.
He described it as as a “hospital within a hospital,” offering a full range of healthcare services in one location, which also includes a telemedicine unit that enables remote consultations with international doctors, eliminating the need for patients to travel abroad for specialized care.
The Medical Director of BSUTH, Dr Terungwa Hwande, also praises the governor’s achievements over a period of less than two years, highlighting that he has accomplished more than many governors do in eight years and without borrowing money.
He said the quality of healthcare has significantly improved, with responsive medical staff and a commitment to serving the people of the State.
