Foreign expatriates and technicians engaged by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) are making steady progress in rehabilitating the long-idle Taraku Mills, with plans to test-run the first plant within the next 30 to 35 days.
The agro-industrial processing facility, which has been moribund since 2013, is expected to process soybeans, maize, beniseed, and cassava once fully operational. It will also produce edible oil, beer grit for the food basket brewery, animal feed, and various industrial raw materials.
Dr. Raymond Asemakaha CFA, Group Managing Director of BIPC, explained that following the commencement of maintenance work, expatriates and technicians were brought in to handle critical aspects of the rehabilitation process. He expressed confidence that the facility will soon resume operations.
Speaking on behalf of the expatriates and technicians, Adilson Neres Da Silva and Henry Boager noted that despite years of inactivity, most of the plant’s components remain intact. They confirmed that equipment, programmable logic systems, power plant, water plant, and other essential components required to reactivate the plant’s software are all in good condition.
Dr. Asemakaha urged farmers across Benue State to increase cultivation of soybeans to ensure adequate raw materials for the mill when production resumes. He reiterated that the revival of Taraku Mills aligns with the vision of Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, to restore moribund industries and stimulate economic growth in the state.
The District Head of Mbaweghgba, Chief John Igbabul, commended Governor Alia for taking concrete steps to revive the factory. He expressed confidence that the project would create jobs and boost economic activities in the area.
The development marks a significant step toward industrial revival in Benue State, as BIPC continues efforts to return the major processing plant to full production capacity.
