By Terkula Igidi
The Manager of Pure Bio-Tech Company Limited, Abdulkadir Mohammed, has urged the Benue State Government to create an enabling environment for private companies to thrive and contribute to the state’s economic development.
Mohammed made the call while speaking on the operations and impact of the cassava-processing company, which converts fresh and dried cassava into ethanol.
His call for government’s support comes as Benue seeks to attract investment into agricultural processing and increase the value derived from its agricultural resources.
According to him, “a supportive business environment would enable private companies to invest, expand operations and create more economic opportunities for residents.”
He added that private investment in agricultural processing could provide reliable markets for farmers, create jobs and stimulate economic activities across the state.
For years, cassava farmers in Benue faced difficulties marketing their produce, with dried cassava, locally known as kpor, sometimes fetching such low prices that farmers resorted to using it as firewood, manure for tree crops and powdered material for marking football fields.
The establishment of Pure Bio-Tech has provided a major industrial market for the crop.
Mohammed said Pure Bio-Tech sources cassava from eight states — Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Taraba, Bauchi and Cross River.
He said Benue accounts for about 40 per cent of the company’s allocated supply arrangements and can contribute up to 65 per cent of actual supply.
According to him, the company’s demand has created opportunities for farmers, aggregators and transporters involved in the cassava value chain.
He added that the company introduced standard weighing scales for cassava purchases to ensure that farmers and processors have a common basis for determining the quantity of produce traded.
Mohammed said the company had employed a significant number of Benue indigenes, including workers in safety management, human resources, accounting, legal services and cassava supervision.
He said the company had also supported its host community with infrastructure, including seven boreholes, electricity facilities and a transformer purchased at N11.5 million.
The company also supplied armoured cable reportedly valued at N1.5 million and is constructing a school in the community.
Mohammed added that the company provides annual festive support to residents of the host community.
He said the presence of the factory had also contributed to security in an area previously affected by violent conflict.
According to him, soldiers are stationed around the company’s frontage, while naval personnel provide security at the river end.
He said the sustained economic activity generated by the factory had helped change the character of the area.
Responding to allegations of air and water pollution, the manager acknowledged that the company had previously faced regulatory challenges
during test-running phase in 2022 when water overflow occurred, prompting the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to temporarily shut the company in 2023.
Mohammed said the company had since met regulatory requirements and obtained an Environmental Impact Assessment certificate.
He added that environmental consultants test the company’s waste monthly and that reports are submitted to NESREA.
Mohammed also explained the company’s decision to restrict some small-truck deliveries of cassava.
He said the measure followed repeated problems involving improperly dried cassava, congestion at the factory gates and protests, adding that the company could only purchase quantities it had the capacity to process and store.
The company has also denied allegations that suppliers pay bribes to secure supply slots.
“We ensure transparency and fairness in supply allocation, maintain quality standards in our operations and try to meet up with our corporate social responsibilities to our host,” said