Benue Govt , TAICOP sign MOU to boost agriculture value chain

• Target 1.7 m jobs

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The Benue State Government, through BIPC, in partnership with KAOTHEEM ENERGY SERVICES and in collaboration with TAICOP Capital Partners has signed a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to boost the agro-economy of the state.

The MOU was signed at the weekend at the Government House, Makurdi.

BIPC Group Managing Director Dr Raymond Asemakaha said the partnership and collaboration will see the establishment of a world class agro hub in the State.

He regretted that over 1.7 million youths are unemployed in the state, stating that the target is create 10000 jobs in the agricultural value chain.

Chairman Taicop Capital Tom Iseghohi acknowledged the great prowess and potentials of the State in agriculture, maintaining that the company did due diligence of the State and saw the passion of Government to develop the State but the vision is held back by funds.

He said, “Government is making effort to bridge the gap. We will partner with the State to ensure that the agricultural value chain is well captured. Funding will not be a challenge. We will increase job creation and per capital income.

“We have developed an 8 year program. The first year, we will invest 2 billion dollars. We already have joint venture with the FG and we will partner with the state on out grower. Current GDP of the State is roughly 2 billion dollar. When we are done with this program it will impact over 20 billion and the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR will go from 25 billion to 250 billion per capita incomes

“Program will create 1 to 1.5 new job Benue people lives will change drastically.

Benue Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia represented by his Deputy Gov who described the event as a ‘watershed’ and turning point for Benue in agricultural revolution, expressed willingness of the state towards the success of the partnership based on institutional and legal framework that would govern the collaboration.

The Governor also, raised alarm and concern over brand theft, regretting that the state has had fatigue of MOUs which never take off.

Said he, “but you have a background that is verifiable. We have high reservoir of political will. We are experiencing agro terrorism. Small holder farms constitute huge population and should be carried along in this program. Infuse new tech and advance new tech line”.