From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
Benue state government on Friday commenced the test production of the Taraku Mills after it had undergone extensive rehabilitation and taken delivery of 8 trucks of 300 tonnes of soybean.
The development signified a major achievement in the state’s agro-industrial revival under Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Speaking with journalists shortly after monitoring the test-run production, Group Managing Director, Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, said BIPC deliberately revitalised the factory which had been dormant for many years to commence production of Golden Soya Oil.
He described the test-run production as a positive step toward boosting the state’s agro-industrial capacity and enhancing the livelihoods of farmers in the State.
Asemakaha who lamented over the high rate of unemployment and lack of farmers’ access to market, assured that the revitalisation of the moribund company would provide a ready market for local soybean and grain farmers as well as create direct and indirect jobs for teeming population of the State.
He pointed out that, the State’s tertiary institutions had continued to produce graduates without jobs, disclosing that in 2024, tertiary institutions in the State graduated over 14,802 students and 16,200 in 2025 with many of them yet to secure jobs.
According to him, Benue Investment and Property Company decided to do everything possible to ensure that the factory works, stating that most government assets are in private hands, and handing them over without commitment has become a burden to government.
He enjoined soybean farmers and producers and manufacturers of maize and other raw materials to engage in more productions of soybean as BIPC is ready to provide off-take opportunities that could guarantee them a value proposition.
The GMD noted that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia is deliberately reviving industries and businesses to empower the people, insisting that every government’s company, both old and new ones been established must become operational which is why government is bringing in professionals to run those factories and deliver results.
“Those factories must work deliberately for the benefit of our people. A lot of people have asked why government is involved in these businesses. In China, there are hundreds of state-owned enterprises. Every province has state-owned enterprises operating on a model similar to BIPC. That is the model we are adopting.
“A state-owned enterprise is not just about sitting down and collecting salaries. It is about working and delivering results. That is why we are working the talk and bringing results. We have told our people to hold us to our word because we understand the business”, Asemakaha stated.
Speaking on the production process, the plant manager, Engr. James Tergu Ikuve, intimated that the facility has installed capacity of 200 tonnes per day but decided to commence at production rate of 50 tonnes per day so as to not stretch the equipment that has been moribund for many years.
He said they have commence the purification process after taking delivery of the 300 tonnes of soyabean, adding that, in the next two days, crushing would commence and once the crushing is over and reasonable quantity of oil is find, they will begin the refining process in order to make the golden oil available for use.
He assured that the oil will be in the market before the end of October, saying that the facility has adequate manpower to drive the production process.
On his part, the youth leader of Taraku community, Comrade Iortuhwa Richard, commended governor Hyacinth Alia for resuscitating the moribund company.
He assured of protection of the facility by youths of the area.
“We encountered some challenges but we tried our best to overcome them and today, the factory has commenced production”, Iortuhwa said.
