By DORATHY ANINGE

Dr Raymond Asemakaha, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), says that the company would expand its bread factory branches to the 23 local government areas of the state.

Asemakaha, who made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Makurdi, said that initiative was to create more jobs and ensure that all parts of the state enjoy the quality bread.

The MD/CEO stated that the expansion would start with Gboko, Otukpo, and Katsina-Ala in the first phase.

He said that the bread factory has so far employed over 300 staff at its headquarters in Makurdi.

Asemakaha assured that BIPC would continue to initiate projects to boost the state economy.

He reiterated the government?s effort to make sure that Benue stands when it comes to industries.

Meanwhile, some private bakeries in Makurdi metropolis told NAN that the coming on board of BIPC did not have an adverse effect on their operations.

Manager Sudopee Supermarket/Bakery Mrs Mary Ityopine told NAN they still have high patronage in spite of the coming of the state-owned bread.

Ityopine said Sudopee bread was one of the breads in high demand in Makurdi.?Our bread is one of the best breads in Makurdi, and since we started production, our patronage has not dropped, and as you can see, people rush to buy our bread.

?We have not increased our prices as we still sell at N1,600, while others sell the same size of bread for N2,000.?Our customers still trust our bread, and we strive to give them the best at all times.

Mrs. Dorothy Avaator, a provision shop owner, said her customers patronise more of BIPC bread than any bread she sells at the shop.

Avaator further said that she buys at a cost of N1,100 and sells at the rate of 1,300 due to the high cost of transportation since they don?t deliver to her area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a branch of BIPC Bread Factory was launched in December in Makurdi to meet up with the high dem?nd for the product. (NAN)

?Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr Raymond Asemakaha

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