NEC hails Alia’s industrial push as Benue projects create 1,250 jobs

The National Economic Council (NEC) – Monitoring and Implementation Committee – has commended the Benue State Government for what it described as a “remarkable economic transformation” driven by industrialisation, housing and job creation.

The commendation followed an inspection tour of state projects by the North Central Economic Team of the Committee at the facilities of Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) in Makurdi.

Jerome Andohol, who is the leader of the delegation, in his remarks, said the team was in Benue as part of a four-state monitoring exercise to assess compliance with NEC development benchmarks.

“We came with an open mind. What we have seen in Benue has exceeded expectations,” Andohol said. “There is impressive progress across humanitarian, health and education sectors, but what stands out are the investment-driven commercial projects.”

The Committee toured BIPC’s revived and new 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.

Recalled that Governor Hyacinth Alia had earlier announced the estate would be renamed Agbogbo Ode Estate in honour of the late Head of Service.

Andohol said the projects reflect a clear strategy to drive industrialisation and private sector growth.

He stated that the Bensono Concentrate Factory alone was projected to create over 250 direct jobs on completion, while construction and ancillary activities had already engaged more than 1,000 youths across the BIPC sites.

The NEC team also applauded the state’s low-cost housing programme under Eco City Estate, describing it as “a major step toward expanding access to decent and affordable homes for low-income earners.”

“Governor Alia deserves commendation for these giant strides,” Andohol said. “We also commend Raymond Asemakaha, GMD of BIPC, for reviving dormant industries and attracting fresh investments that are putting Benue on the map of industrial states.”

Earlier, Theresa Abeda, BIPC’s Head of Business Development and Strategy, received the delegation on behalf of the Board and Management and led them on a tour of the facilities.

The NEC Monitoring Committee is mandated to track how states are implementing resolutions of the National Economic Council, particularly on economic diversification, job creation and infrastructure delivery.

They said, “Benue’s push through BIPC aligns with NEC’s agenda of leveraging sub-national assets for revenue growth and employment. With insecurity and low IGR previously constraining the State, the revival of commercial entities is being watched as a test case for how agrarian States can industrialise.”