A Makurdi based Chinese biotechnology company said it will be consuming on daily basis, not less than 2,000 tones of fresh and dry cassava chips.
The chairman of the company, Mr. Lee Yunzee made the disclosure while exchanging views with governor Samuel Ortom at Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.
He advised Benue farmers to approach farming with maximum commitment so as to improve the supply of raw materials to the company.
Mr. Yunzee informed the governor that the company have the capacity to employ thousands of Benue youths and farmers either directly or indirectly from its ethanol project in the state.
According to him, their presence in Benue state was predicated upon governor Ortom’s zeal for the company to invest in Benue even before becoming the Chief Executive Officer.
He assured that the company will continue to build and use it influence to attract more foreign investors to the state as long as the atmosphere is safe.
Responding, governor Ortom assured of his administration’s readiness to accord the company the necessary backing and urged it to take advantage of the numerous resources to invest more in the state.
The governor said, it has been his intention during his days as Minister that such a company from China come to invest in Benue and that his dream has come to pass with the company’s presence established now.
He assured of his readiness to provide security that could guarantee security of lives and property for business to thrive in the state.
In a separate interview, two cassava farmers, Mr. Terngu Iornum expressed happiness over the presence of the company in the state which he hope would mop up all the produce to avert waste farmers used to witness in the past years.
On her part, Mama Esther Apuu decried scarcity of improved cassava stems and fertilizer which Benue farmers go through and called on government to be alive to its responsibility of ensuring supply of essential materials to them.
She hoped that with consistent rains and incentives like soft loans, Benue farmers will be better off in production for both consumption and sale to better their lot.