Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has vowed that his administration will sustain the fight against insecurity, declaring that criminal elements must leave the state to allow farmers return to their lands and boost agricultural production.
The governor made the declaration during an unscheduled inspection visit to Taraku Mills in Gwer East Local Government Area, where he assessed ongoing rehabilitation work at the state-owned agro-processing company.
Alia said protecting Benue residents and safeguarding farmlands remained his government’s top priority, stressing that lasting peace was necessary to restore the state’s economy and revive the multi-billion-naira Taraku Mills.
“My priority is to protect my people and safeguard our lands so they can continue feeding the nation. Terrorists must leave Benue State. We shall continue to enforce the law and pursue them until they are brought to justice. Nobody will take Benue land,” the governor said.
He expressed concern that insecurity in parts of Benue and neighbouring states, including Nasarawa, Cross River, Kogi and Taraba, could affect efforts to revive the factory if farmers were unable to access their farmlands.
The governor noted that Benue farmers had the capacity to supply the mill with key agricultural products such as soybeans, maize and groundnuts, adding that peace was critical to unlocking the state’s agricultural potential.
While inspecting the facility, engineers working on the rehabilitation project powered some serviced machines, a development Alia described as evidence of significant progress towards returning the company to full operation.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and said production would begin soon after the completion of test-running.
He urged farmers across the state to increase cultivation of crops needed by the mill, saying the revival of Taraku Mills would create jobs, strengthen the agricultural value chain and boost Benue’s economy.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Alia praised the engineers handling the project for their commitment and commended the host community for protecting the facility from vandalism during its years of inactivity.
He described the community as responsible and dedicated to ensuring the successful restoration of the company.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.