By Terdue Atondu, Makurdi
Taraku Mills Limited in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State has commenced the first phase of test production as part of efforts to revive the long-dormant industrial facility and restore it to full operation.
The Group Managing Director of the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), Dr Raymond Asemakaha Jr., disclosed this after inspecting the ongoing test production at the factory.
Asemakaha described the exercise as a major step towards bringing the facility back to life after years of inactivity, noting that the state government was determined to revive moribund industries and return them to productive use.
He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his commitment to restoring dormant industries across the state.
“We must take charge of moribund industries. We are ensuring that the dead balance sheet has come back to life,” he said.
According to him, the ongoing test-run is aimed at ensuring that Taraku Mills resumes production and begins supplying locally produced vegetable oil to consumers in Benue.
“Today’s exercise is done to ensure that our oil comes back before the end of this year, and I am assuring that the people of Benue will soon have the oil,” Asemakaha said.
He said the revival of the factory would also provide a ready market for agricultural produce, improve farmers’ earnings and increase the economic value of crops produced in the state.
“Very soon our farmers will have value for their crops, as can be seen in the orange market,” he added.
The BIPC boss further said the state government would sustain efforts to revive other dormant industries in Benue, stressing that the initiative would contribute to job creation, agricultural development and economic growth.
Meanwhile, the Plant Manager of Taraku Mills, Engr. James Terngu Ikyuve, said the factory had taken delivery of 300 metric tonnes of soybeans for the test production.
He explained that the soybeans had commenced the purification process, after which they would undergo crushing, oil extraction and refining.
Ikyuve said the factory was currently testing its production line at 50 metric tonnes per day, with plans to gradually increase output to its full installed capacity of 300 metric tonnes per day.
He assured that Taraku Mills would commence the supply of locally produced vegetable oil to the people of Benue before the end of October.
The Lead Consultant to Taraku Mills, Saleh Mansur, commended Governor Alia for his administration’s efforts to revive the factory.
Mansur expressed optimism that the ongoing process would restore production of the “golden oil” for which Taraku Mills was historically known.
Also speaking, a youth leader and worker at the factory, Iortuhwa Moses, commended the state government for reviving the facility.
He said the return of Taraku Mills to production would create employment opportunities for youths and stimulate economic activities within the host community and beyond.
