Benue Moves to Revive Igumale Cement, Otukpo Bricks Factories

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has intensified its audit of moribund industries across the state as part of efforts to restore industrial activities and promote sustainable economic development.
Speaking during an inspection of abandoned industrial assets in Benue South Senatorial District, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, said the exercise is part of the company’s Root Cause Analysis (RCA), designed to identify and address the factors responsible for the collapse of industries in Benue.
The inspection team, led by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Barr. Sam Ode, visited the abandoned Igumale Cement Factory and the Otukpo Burnt Bricks project as part of the ongoing assessment.
Dr. Asemakaha said the RCA identified policy inconsistency, lack of continuity in government programmes, the collapse of state-owned enterprises, inadequate private sector investment and public-private partnerships, poor infrastructure, and weak value chains as the major causes of industrial decline in the state.
He noted that although Benue’s population has grown from about 2.5 million during the administration of the late Governor Aper Aku to more than 7 million today, industrial productivity has continued to decline.
The BIPC boss recalled that the state once boasted thriving industries including Benue Brewery, Taraku Mills, Benro Packaging, Lobi Bank, fertilizer plants, Benue Bottling Company Limited, Flour Mills Makurdi, Benue Cement, Modern Market, Ber-Agbum Fish Farm, Zaki Biam Yam Flour, Makurdi Sheraton Hotels and Ikyogen Cattle Ranch, but lamented that many have either collapsed or become moribund.
He said the administration of Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia is committed to reversing the trend through the audit and revitalisation of abandoned industries, revival of the Aku industrial model, development of industrial clusters, aggressive investment promotion, value-chain development and investment in human capital.
According to him, reviving dormant industries will create jobs, reduce dependence on government, diversify the economy and add value to agricultural produce.
He added that the government is committed to building a resilient and sustainable economy driven by a strong private sector, with manufacturing serving as a catalyst for industrial growth, job creation and economic diversification.
Dr. Asemakaha further explained that the state’s strategy is to retain a 35 per cent equity stake in industrial projects to align with national industrialisation and job creation goals, while allowing private investors to take the lead.
During the inspection, he directed the immediate resumption of work at the Igumale Cement Factory and renewed the state’s invitation to the Chinese firm, Zhengzhou Cangxi Industry and Commerce Development Company Ltd., to return and complete the installation of the long-abandoned cement plant.
He assured the company that the Benue State Government would facilitate the completion of the outstanding Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and mining lease documentation required for the project to resume operations.
Deputy Governor Barr. Sam Ode said the inspection followed Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s directive to assess abandoned industries in Benue South with the aim of restoring them to full operation.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to revitalising moribund industries as a strategy for stimulating economic growth and improving the livelihoods of the people.
Director of Industry in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and Desk Officer for the project, Mrs. Mbamilin Yandev, disclosed that the Benue State Government and the Chinese company began installing the Igumale Cement Factory in 2001.
She said both parties secured an 80-million-dollar facility from the Chinese Government under a seven-year Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement.
According to her, the last communication between the state government and the Chinese firm was in 2017 when the company requested the completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment and mining lease before continuing with the project, but the process was not concluded.
Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, Engr. Sunny Oche, APC senatorial candidate Francis Agbo, and House of Representatives candidate Anthony Agom commended Governor Alia for taking practical steps to revive the abandoned cement factory.
The delegation also inspected the Otukpo Burnt Bricks factory, established during the administration of the late Aper Aku in the 1980s, where the BIPC Managing Director directed the immediate commencement of rehabilitation works.