From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The management of Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) has called on Benue people and the youths especially to go into businesses like their Igbo counterparts to develop themselves and the state economically.
The Managing Director (MD/CEO) BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha gave this charge while speaking to newsmen shortly after a tour of some business concerns established by the company; the brewery, water factory and bakery factories, in Makurdi on Tuesday.
According to him, many Benue youths have graduated, acquired good certificates and are waiting for employment “but like the Igbos who are also in the state, our people need to get involved and start up businesses. We need to make Benue a business hub to develop the state economically and provide more job opportunities for our people,” he said.
He disclosed that BIPC under his leadership has concluded plans to lunch a beer brand in December 2024.
Asemakaha said the company, located at Akile village, Km 16, Gboko road, is being established to give Benue people and Nigerians a high premium quality beer that is made in Benue using fresh raw materials.
He said that BIPC would not be competing with any brewery company but would do its thing to provide the people with a beer with a difference.
The MD who stated that their findings revealed that producers of alcoholic beverages make between N800m to N870m monthly in Benue State said by December 2023 alone, they raked in the sum of N1 billion.
He said the decision of the company to go into such business was to ensure that such cash flows are no longer taken out of the State but retained to boost the state’s economy.
While noting that the establishment of the brewery would cost the company over N800m, Asemakaha said he has concluded plans to meet with the Benue people both at home and in the diaspora to raise the capital base to enable people to own the company.
He also said that shares would be open for Benue indigenes to subscribe while the 23 per cent shares would be reserved for the 23 Local Government Areas, LGAs, of the State at 1 per cent each.
He further said that from the start, the company would be producing 180,000 bottles per day adding that fermentation alone takes 15 days.
Dr Asemakaha said the company has planned adequately for the raw materials needed for the production of its beer.
Speaking on the Water and Bakery factories, the MD said the two companies which are situated within the same premises at Tse Ayu, along George Akume Way would cost the sum of N220m to complete.
He said the companies would be completed and commissioned on May 27 2023.
He said the water factory from the start would be producing 3000 water bottles within an hour and 9000 per day and would increase as the demand increases.
The Head of Business Development and Strategy, BIPC, Mrs Theresa Abeda said all they do is to identify and recommend businesses of interest which would bring development and improved revenue for consideration.
Mrs Abeda said the department has capable hands to always deliver on their given mandate just as the MD has always carried them along.
Also speaking, the Head of Real Estate and Infrastructure, BIPC, Arc Jerry Iorsun, who said they are happy to be part of the team establishing the facilities assured that the works will be finished with basic construction quality and standards.