Taraku Mills Ltd. has begun test-run production of Golden Soya Oil following the delivery of 300 tonnes of soyabean to the revived agro-industrial plant in Benue State.
The development comes after the Benue Investment and Property Company Ltd., BIPC, extensively rehabilitated the moribund factory as part of its drive to revive industries and create jobs in the state.
Dr Raymond Asemakaha, Group Managing Director of BIPC, after monitoring the test-run production at the factory on Saturday in Makurdi, said the factory was revived to provide a ready market for soyabean and grain farmers, as well as to create direct and indirect jobs.
He decried the high rate of unemployment and the difficulties farmers face in accessing markets but promised that BIPC will ensuring that government-owned factories become operational and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economy.
“Those factories must work deliberately for the benefit of our people.
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“A state-owned enterprise is not just about sitting down and collecting salaries, it is about working and delivering results,” he said.
He urged soyabean and maize farmers, as well as producers of other raw materials, to scale up production, assuring them of off-take opportunities from the revived industries.
He said the administration of Gov. Hyacinth Alia was deliberately bringing industries and businesses closer to the people, with professionals engaged to manage government-owned enterprises and deliver results.
Mr James Ikuve, the Plant Manager, also said that the facility had an installed capacity of 200 tonnes per day but that it would commence operations at 50 tonnes daily because the equipment had remained unused for several years.
Ikuve said purification of the 300 tonnes of soyabean had begun, while crushing would start within two days, after which the oil would be refined.
He assured that Golden Soya Oil would be in the market before the end of October, adding that the plant had sufficient manpower to sustain production.
The Youth Leader of Taraku Community, Mr Iortuhwa Richard, commended the governor for reviving the company, saying the development had brought economic benefits to the area.
Richard said community members resisted attempts to vandalise the factory because they recognised its long-term benefits.
NAN
