By Terdue Atondu, Makurdi
The Benue State Executive Council has approved an agreement aimed at securing about N378 billion for the development of the National Food City Project at Ogyoma Akpa in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.
The approval was given at the council meeting presided over by Governor Hyacinth Alia, as part of efforts to strengthen agriculture, boost food production and expand agro-processing activities in the state.
Briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting at the Government House, Makurdi, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, said the project was expected to cover more than 30,000 hectares of land and create over 15,000 direct jobs.
Iorpev, who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Udo Ogwu, and the Executive Secretary of the Benue Investment Promotion Agency (BIPA), Dr John Paul Terhemen, described the initiative as a major private-sector investment designed to transform agriculture from primary production to processing and value-added products for both local consumption and export.
According to him, the project would also mobilise about 40,000 farmers who would supply raw materials, including rice, cassava and maize, as well as livestock feed to the processing facility.
He attributed the investment to the Alia administration’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business, conducting due diligence and creating an enabling environment for local and foreign investors.
Iorpev added that the project would operate under a 25-year concession arrangement, after which ownership would be transferred fully to the Benue State Government.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner said the council had also received the development of the Benue State Sub-WASH project, a World Bank-assisted initiative aimed at expanding access to potable water and improving water and sanitation services across the state.
He said the project would involve reviewing existing laws and introducing reforms that would encourage greater private-sector participation in the water sector through public-private partnerships (PPP).
Iorpev disclosed that a team from SUB-WASH was already in Benue to assess the old and Greater Makurdi Water Works for possible expansion and improved reticulation to new layouts within Makurdi.
He added that similar assessments would be carried out at the Katsina-Ala and Otobi water works as part of the state’s broader plan to improve water supply and sanitation infrastructure.
