BIPC begins juice taster production in Makurdi
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has achieved a major milestone in industrial revival by commencing juice tasting production at the revitalized Benfruits Industry.
The move is a direct outcome of the efforts by the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, to breathe life back into abandoned state assets.
The milestone was marked on Tuesday with a successful test-run of the factory, located in the Industrial Layout, Makurdi, where the first batch of juice was successfully produced.
Expressing his delight after tasting the inaugural production, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, CFA, commended Governor Alia for the revitalization after the company had lain dormant for many years.
Dr. Asemakaha reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring Benue farmers gain full value for their produce, promising that once full-scale operations begin, no orange will leave the state unprocessed.
"This plant will address post-harvest losses, create jobs, increase farmers’ income, raise revenue, and boost the state’s GDP," he stated.
Going beyond juice, Dr. Asemakaha revealed that the factory would also produce essential oil for pharmaceutical use and organic fertilizer from the orange chaff, ensuring a zero-waste approach to fruit processing.
He thanked the company’s partners, including SONO Group and Lead Technician Engr. Henry Boager, for their diligence.
Lead Technician Engr. Henry Boager disclosed that the factory boasts a significant capacity, able to produce four tons of juice per hour.
He emphasized that this capability is critical to eliminating post-harvest losses and guaranteeing farmers better returns for their labor.
Local farmer Mr. Wilfred Gbatsoron expressed profound gratitude to the Governor and BIPC management for finally providing a ready market. “Before now, our oranges used to waste, but now we have a market. We will expand our farms to increase production,” he promised.
The revitalization of Benfruits is one of several industrial revival projects initiated by the Alia administration aimed at promoting agro-industrial development and enhancing the state’s economy.