The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) said all was set for the unveiling of Benue beer on December 22.
Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), Dr Raymond Asemakaha, made the disclosure on Wednesday after he inspected the beer factory construction site and other projects in Makurdi.
Asemakaha said the company has already produced two trucks of the Benue beer and would be unveiled on December 22.
The MD/CEO said that there was every need for the government to make “credible investments” and build succession plans for them to strive.
He stated that studies have shown that beer companies rake in billions annually in the state; therefore, the state needed to join the business to not only provide jobs but make a profit too.
Asemakaha further said that BIPC’s Polythene and Nylon factory, BIPC Nails Ltd, and BIPC Bread extension were all completed and billed for commissioning on December 5.
He commended Gov. Hyacinth Alia for his continuous support to the company to enable it to carry out capital projects.
Commissioner for Commerce, Trade, and Investment, Mr Alumo Orpin, said Gov. Alia was determined to improve the economic ecosystem of the state.
Orpin assured that all the factories billed for commissioning were well executed and met world standards.
The commissioner added that the ministry would continue to provide policy guidelines for industries and other businesses to thrive.
According to him, the current administration was putting structures in place so that even after his exit, the company and its assets would continue to blossom.
He commended the MD/CEO and his team for all their efforts in ensuring that they continue to revive the company and place it on the global market.
Earlier in May, Asemakaha said the company was out to give Benue and Nigerians a high-premium quality beer made in the state using local raw materials.
He said that BIPC was not in competition with any brewery company therefore, would do everything for the people to enjoy a beer with a difference.
He said, “Basically, when we came on board, we understand that the rate of alcohol consumption in the state is between N850 million per month.
“So, we discovered and said no, all what we need to do is to float a new company that we can be able to observe and retain the cash flow within the system. That is why we are embarking on beer production.
“This N850 to N870 million is a monthly sale of beers in the state, and within the month of December, they have made one billion naira in sales. So, one of the things we are doing is to help retain the cash flow within the system.
According to the MD, the estimated production capacity is 180,000 bottles per day, and the fermentation period is 15 days.
“We will crash the price of beer in the state, but we are not going to compete with them (other breweries). We want to retain the cash within us. It is our own thing. So, the people here, our brothers and sisters, should be able to key in and take our products,” he said.
While stating that raw materials will be locally sourced, Asemakaha stated that the factory would commence full production by the first week of December.
“What we want to do is that this season, we want to give people seedlings so that we can go back to production and take those products from them to plant and harvest,” he added.
The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) said all was set for the unveiling of Benue beer on December 22.
