The Managing Director (MD) of the Benue Investment and Property Company limited (BIPC), Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, Wednesday expressed readiness to partner with the Centre for Food Technology and Research (CEFTER), Benue State University, in order to end post-harvest losses in the state.
Mr. Asemakaha also said the BIPC is willing to work with the institution to create wealth for the people of the state and tackle high rate of unemployment among the youth.
The MD made this known when he received director of CEFTER, Professor Barnabas Ikyo, who was at the BIPC corporate headquarters in Makurdi, to present activities of the institution to the management of the company.
He said Benue state has a peculiar problem of unemployment, which is about 4.7 million youth, and the company in view of the high rate of unemployment is ready to partner with CEFTER to mitigate the situation.
“We’re sitting on a time bomb that will soon explode. So, we are doing everything possible to make sure we engage in ventures that will add value to the state and create jobs for our teeming youth,” he said.
The managing director emphasised that if post-harvest losses are controlled, farmers will have value for their farm produce and prevent capital flight.
“If we control post-harvest losses, we will stop capital flight, allow our farmers to have value for their goods, and give the right revenue to our state.
“It is a good business; Bipc will visit the plant. We need to up our game in Benue, so we’re interested in investing in wine and craft beer processing,” he stated.
