Alia Commits to Reviving Industries in Benue State

On Friday, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by Deputy Sam Ode, reaffirmed his administration's commitment to revitalizing struggling industries in the state during an inspection of abandoned industrial assets in the Benue South Senatorial District. This inspection is part of a directive to assess neglected industries with the goal of restoring them to full operation.

Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, Group Managing Director of the Benue Investment and Property Company, identified policy inconsistency, lack of continuity in government programs, and poor infrastructure as major factors for the decline of industries.

He noted that despite the state's population growth from about 2.5 million to over 7 million, industrial productivity has significantly declined. The administration aims to reverse this trend through an audit and revitalization of abandoned industries, focusing on job creation and economic diversification.

Mrs. Mbamilin Yandev, Director of Industry in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, mentioned the ongoing installation of the Igumale Cement Factory, which began in 2001.