By Amos Aar
THE BENUE Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has commenced the construction of a brewery at Akile village along Makurdi-Gboko Road
According to a statement by the BIPC information officer, Mr Peter Asema, the Managing Director of the company, Dr Raymond Asemakah, inspected the progress of work at the factory on Monday, July 1, 2024 and expressed his desire to see the project completed within the stipulated time.
Although the MD did not specify on the time frame within which he expected the project to be completed, the company’s information officer told National Record in a chat on Wednesday that Governor Alia had a couple of months ago directed the state-owned company to start brewing beer by December, 2024.
While encouraging Benue people to farm sorghum and cassava, the Managing Director revealed that in the next 20 days, BIPC will be inviting Benue citizens to test the proposed beer in five different locations across the state.
Asemakaha further stated that the brewery will create jobs for youths and boost the state’s economy.
“This brewery, which is expected to be completed soon, will provide direct jobs for hundreds of youths; have a backward integration for thousands of Benue farmers, and contribute to the growth of the economy in line with the vision of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia,” he said.
The MD was conducted round the site by the head, Department of Real Estate and Infrastructure, Arc. Jerry Iosun, and Project Programme Manager, Philip Zegejir, who provided updates on the progress of the work.
Asked why BIPC has embarked on the construction of a new brewery instead of resuscitating the moribund one, Benue Breweries Limited (BBL) located on the same Makurdi-Gboko Road, the information officer explained that “BBL was sold to Nigerian Breweries and cannot be revoked”.
