BIPC to partner BPE to Develop Agro-Trade Zone, Others In Benue

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), at the weekend set to partner Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to develop an Angro-Trade Zone, Agric-Value Chain, Central Parking Systems, Makurdi Hydro and the optimization of assets belonging to the state.

The Managing Director of BIPC, Raymond Asemakaha made this known during a follow-up meeting with officials of the agency held at the headquarters of the Bureau in Abuja.

He appealed to the Bureau to recommend prospective investors to the state for a joint approach to stimulate economic growth in the state.

He highlighted BIPC’s commitment to invest in key sectors using a public-private partnership to execute the agro-trade zone, agri-value chain, central parking systems, and real estate optimization to generate employment opportunities for Benue residents.

“We believe that partnering with BPE will enable us to leverage each other’s strengths and expertise, leading to more effective solutions to industrialise the state.

“This partnership will aim to create a framework for sustainable job creation, economic growth, and prosperity for Benue State” he stressed.

On his part, the Director, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Michael Magaji, expressed support for the collaboration, acknowledging the critical role of private sector investment in driving economic development in the country.

Magaji appreciated the governor of Benue State for getting a credit rating from Fitch Ratings with a B and a stable outlook for the state, assuring their continued support to attract both local and international investors to the state.

The Director further requested state investment houses to create asset registers for their assets and promised to assist states in recovering properties and stocks not known to them.

In their separate reactions, Mr. Eze Kalistus, Jerry Tile Gyado, and Busola Obanu called on the 36 state investment houses to ensure that their states are rated, adding that such ratings will attract both local and international investors to their state.