Makurdi — The Benue State government has put in place measures to revive its ailing industries.

The industries which include; Otukpo Burnt Bricks, Igumale Cement Industry, Benue Brewery Industry, Fruit Company and Wanunne Tomatoes Industry, are now at different stages of negotiations with private investors.

The state's Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Terfa Atoza Ihinda, who disclosed this yesterday at a press parley in Makurdi, said the moribund government owned companies would set the pace for industrial development of the state.

Ihinda said the Taraku mills is now test running production following the determination of the present administration to lease it to a competent investor.

The commissioner also expressed optimism that the unemployment rate would reduce drastically as the contractual agreement with the private partners insisted on the constitutional provision of local content.

He highlighted other efforts to boost commercial activities in the state to include, completion of the international market located in Makurdi as well as the modern market that is currently undergoing transformation.