House of Representatives aspirant for Buruku Federal Constituency, Hon. Alexander Addingi, has pledged to transform Buruku Local Government Area into the leading palm oil production hub in Benue State if elected.
Addingi said the plan includes the cultivation of no fewer than 65,000 palm trees across Buruku, aimed at promoting self-reliance and long-term economic sustainability for residents.
He disclosed on Monday while briefing journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) House in Makurdi.
The former Special Adviser on International Investment explained that agriculture remains a major driver of wealth, stressing that palm oil production in particular has the potential to empower families, especially in paying school fees and supporting household needs.
He noted that Buruku currently lags behind other local government areas such as Vandeikya, Ushongo, and Konshisha in agricultural productivity, adding that his initiative is aimed at closing the gap and positioning Buruku as a leader in palm oil production in the state.
According to him, his vision is to encourage residents to embrace agriculture as a sustainable source of income, especially after retirement.
Addingi, a former senior staff member of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), also disclosed that during his official engagements abroad, he gained exposure to global agricultural and investment practices which he intends to replicate locally.
He said that palm seedlings have already been distributed to members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for onward sharing with their communities, as part of grassroots empowerment efforts.
The APC House of Representatives aspirant further announced plans to organize a week-long training programme for youths and entrepreneurs to equip them with relevant agricultural and business skills.
He emphasized that all the initiatives would be offered free of charge as part of his contribution to community development.
In his remarks, the Buruku Local Government Chairman, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, commended the initiative and urged stakeholders to support the aspirant’s vision for agricultural transformation in the area.