The National Economic Council (NEC) Monitoring and Implementation Committee has commended Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for his administration’s economic transformation efforts, describing the state’s development initiatives as impressive and impactful.
The commendation came when the North Central Economic Team of the committee visited factories owned by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) in Makurdi as part of its assessment of the implementation of resolutions reached by the National Economic Council at the sub-national level.
Leader of the delegation, Professor Jerome Andohol, explained that the committee is on a monitoring tour of four states, having already visited the Federal Capital Territory and Benue State. According to him, the purpose of the visit was to evaluate the extent to which NEC’s benchmarks and resolutions are being implemented by state governments.
Professor Andohol said the team’s inspection of projects across Benue State had been an eye-opener, noting that they witnessed remarkable progress in the humanitarian, health and education sectors, as well as in investment-driven commercial projects. He particularly highlighted BIPC’s industrial projects, including the Food Basket Brewery, Eco City Estate, the Bensono Concentrate Factory, Benval Juice Factory and the newly acquired Federal Housing Estate at welfare quarters, to be named Agbogbo Ode Estate after the late head of service, according to the governor. These initiatives, he said, demonstrate the state’s commitment to industrialization and economic growth.
According to him, the Bensono Concentrate factory alone is expected to provide direct employment for more than 250 people while creating opportunities that have already engaged over 1,000 previously unemployed youths through construction activities and related ventures.
The committee leader also praised the state’s low-cost housing programme, describing it as a significant intervention aimed at improving access to affordable homes for low-income earners. He commended Governor Alia for what he described as giant developmental strides across various sectors and also lauded the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, CFA, for his vision in driving industrialization and attracting investment through the revival of moribund industries in the state.
Earlier, the Head of Business Development and Strategy at BIPC, Theresa Abeda, alongside other members of the company’s management team, received the delegation on behalf of the Board and Management of the company before taking them on a tour of the facilities.
