Ken Kene, Makurdi

The National Economic Council, NEC, Monitoring and Implementation Committee has commended Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, for his administration’s economic transformation efforts, describing the state’s development initiatives as impressive and impactful.

The commendation was made during a tour of factories owned by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, BIPC, in Makurdi by the North Central Economic Team of the committee.

Leader of the delegation, Professor Jerome Andohol, said the committee is on a monitoring tour of four states to evaluate the extent to which NEC benchmarks and resolutions are being implemented at the sub-national level. The team had earlier visited the Federal Capital Territory and Benue State.

Professor Andohol said the inspection of projects across Benue State had been an eye-opener, noting 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, Bensono Concentrate Factory, Benval Juice Factory, and the newly acquired Federal Housing Estate at Welfare Quarters, which the governor said will be named the Agbogbo Ode Estate after the late Head of Service.

According to him, the initiatives demonstrate the state’s commitment to industrialization and economic growth.

“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,” Prof. Andohol said.

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 further commended Governor Alia for what he described as giant developmental strides across various sectors, and lauded the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, for his vision in driving industrialization and attracting investment through the revival of moribund industries.

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 before conducting them on a tour of the facilities.

The NEC committee’s visit is part of ongoing efforts to monitor and assess the implementation of national economic policies and resolutions by state governments across the country.