By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
Immediate past Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on International Investments, Alex Addingi, has disclosed that the Alia administration’s shift to oil palm production is designed to create wealth for farmers and boost the state’s economy.
Addingi, who recently resigned to contest the Buruku Federal Constituency seat in the National Assembly in 2027 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, made the disclosure yesterday during a press conference held at the NUJ House, Makurdi, where he declared his intention to run.
He recalled that Governor Hyacinth Alia, on assuming office, mandated his office to research crops and their benefits to farmers.
Addingi explained,the study found that oranges, which many farmers plant in small holdings and in different varieties, were not economically viable, noting that the limited and inconsistent supply was capable of affecting processing companies to produce end product without uniform taste.
“The Alia administration saw this as a major setback to farmers and decided to introduce something that will create wealth for the people and add value to the state’s economy,” Addingi said, explaining that government opted to replace citrus and orange orchards with the Alia Palm Project.
Highlighting the benefits, Addingi noted that oil palm trees are easy to maintain and can serve multiple generations.
He added that palm oil could be stored for up to one year, making it valuable for production and trade.
Describing Buruku Local Government Area as the most backward in the state despite being the only LGA with a single federal constituency, he blamed the lack of development on ineffective representation.
Addingi said he has used personal resources and support from his global network to fix boreholes, award scholarships and construct culverts in the area.
He said if elected, he would turn Buruku from a “glorified village” into an industrial hub within two years.
The former Special Adviser on International Investment stated that through his efforts, the state government distributed over 150,000 palm seedlings across the state last year,pledging to double the 15,000 stands he earlier distributed to all council wards in Buruku, with a plan to distribute 65,000 stands this year.
“We shall introduce the Governor Alia model. We expect every household in Buruku to plant at least 100 palm trees yearly,” he said, expressing optimism that this will create unimaginable wealth within a short time and position Buruku as a palm oil destination in the North Central within the next few years.
Addingi argued that large-scale palm oil production has a long value chain that will attract industries and benefit the masses.
He accused past leaders in the area of focusing on personal projects, which he said caused underdevelopment and assured that his representation would be inclusive and promised to work with all aspirants who contested and lost.
“My belief is that anybody who comes out to contest is already a winner. As a team, we will not allow a stranger to win and take all,” Addingi said while appealing for support.