Expatriates, Technicians Commence Work On Taraku Mills, To Power First Plant in 35 Days

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Foreign expatriates and technicians engaged by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) have continued work on the Taraku Mills as part of ongoing efforts to restore the long abandoned factory to full production.

The Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha alongside the company’s management team, led the engineers on an inspection tour where they all assured that the rehabilitation of the plant is progressing and that the facility will soon resume operations.

Asemakaha explained that following the commencement of maintenance work, the expatriates and technicians were brought in to handle critical aspects of the rehabilitation process.

According to the GMD, Taraku Mills, a major agro-industrial processing plant has been moribund since 2013.

He expressed confidence that once fully operational, the factory will processes soybeans, maize, beniseed, and cassava into finished products.

He also noted that the plant is also expected to produce edible oil, Beer Grit that will be used at the food basket brewery, animal feed, and industrial raw materials once operational.

He urged farmers across Benue State to increase the cultivation of soybeans to ensure adequate raw materials for the mill when production resumes.

The BIPC boss reiterated that the revival of Taraku Mills aligns with the vision of Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, to restore moribund industries and stimulate economic growth in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the expatriates and technicians, Adilson Neres Da Silva and Henry Boager expressed optimism about the condition of the facility, noting that despite years of inactivity, most of the plant’s components remain intact.

They disclosed that the company is targeting to test run the first plant within the next 30-35 days, adding that the equipment, programmable logic systems, power plant, water plant and other components required to reactivate the plant’s software are all in good condition.

The District Head of Mbaweghgba, Chief John Igbabul, commended Governor Alia for taking concrete steps to revive the factory, expressing confidence that the project would create jobs and boost economic activities in the area.