Benue State is set to attract $250 million (N330.4 billion) investment in a 30,000-hectare National Food City Complex expected to integrate 40,000 smallholder farmers and create up to 20,000 permanent jobs.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, who disclosed this on Monday in Makurdi during the signing of the project agreement with Rexzodeneh Group Ltd., said the initiative would move the state from simply producing agricultural commodities to an agro-industrial economy driven by processing, value addition and local wealth creation.
Represented by his deputy, Alia said the project would integrate agricultural production with processing, storage, logistics, energy and markets, describing it as a major step towards converting Benue’s agricultural resources into wealth, jobs and prosperity.
He said the state must move beyond producing raw commodities and focus on processing and adding value locally to create jobs and retain more wealth within Benue.
“We must not remain merely suppliers of raw materials. We must become a centre of production, processing and value creation,” he said.
Alia assured Rexzodeneh Group of the government’s facilitation and institutional support, while charging the investor to ensure transparency, accountability and delivery of its commitments.
He said the project’s success would be measured through stronger markets for farmers, youth employment, industrial growth and increased value retention.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Investment Promotion Agency (BENIPA), Johnpaul Kpenkaa, said the project would position Benue as a major agro-industrial hub.
Kpenkaa said BENIPA coordinated 13 relevant ministries, departments and agencies through technical reviews, investor engagements and other institutional processes before the agreement was signed.
The Project Manager of Rexzodeneh Group Ltd., Ramsey Ibrahim, described the initiative as a new agricultural revolution in Benue and Africa, saying it would modernise agricultural production while creating opportunities that could encourage young people to remain in rural communities.
“Today, the city is coming back to the village to create the opportunity,” he said.
Ibrahim disclosed that international investors, including South Korean and Turkish technology partners, would participate in the project, particularly in modern agricultural technology and drone-based farming.
He expressed confidence that government and stakeholder support would ensure the project delivers lasting economic benefits to Benue residents.
“A food basket must feed industries. Industries must create jobs. Jobs must create incomes. And incomes must create prosperity,” Alia said.
