The Benue State House of Assembly has urged the state government to establish more agro-allied industries to encourage the citizens to embrace massive production of agricultural produce.

The call followed a motion of public importance moved by Anyor Matu (APC/Kwande East) during plenary on Tuesday in Makurdi.

Mr Matu stated that the establishment of more agro-allied industries would enhance speedy development and raise the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and per capita income of Benue indigenes.

The lawmaker reiterated that the industries would encourage mass production of agricultural produce by farmers, increase value addition, and increase production activities.

He said that Benue was a purely agrarian state, blessed with rich alluvial soil suitable for all types of crops.

Mr Matu stressed that the crops produced in the state were consumed without any form of value addition owing to the fact that there were no industries to process and add the deserving value to them before selling them.

The lawmaker said that the absence of the agro-allied industries with their attendant value addition was responsible for higher numbers of unemployment, as production activities were still scanty within the state.

He stated that Benue yams were the best yams compared to those from elsewhere, yet there was no industry to process them and make them a sought-after product in the world.

The assemblyman emphasised that yam was just one among many other farm produce produced in the state.

According to him, the current administration was favourably disposed to industrialisation with a view to exhaustively harnessing the opportunities that abound in Benue.

The motion was seconded by Bemdoo Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala West), who described the motion as apt and timely.

Contributing, Samuel Agada (APC/Ogbadibo),

Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South) and Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West) all supported the intent and purpose of the motion.

They all said that the industries would boost the state economy, thereby lifting many youth off the streets.

Ruling, the Speaker, Alfred Emberga, commended the modest efforts of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in the state in the area of industrialisation.

Mr Emberga said that efforts were evident in the setting up of small-scale industries through the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC).

(NAN)