Palm oil industry is located in Old Bendel State because the state______

Analyze the question: This is about the factors influencing industrial location. The question asks why palm oil industries were sited in the old Bendel State (now Edo and Delta).

Explain the concept: Industries that process raw materials which are bulky or lose weight during processing (such as palm fruit, which is perishable) are usually located near the source of the raw material. This reduces transport costs and prevents spoilage. This is called proximity to raw materials.

Step-by-step solution:

• A. Land is suitable for oil: Vague and not an economic reason. Oil palm is a crop, and "land suitable for oil" would suggest crude petroleum. Eliminate.
• B. Is a palm tree growing area: Old Bendel State lies in the rainforest belt, where oil palm grows abundantly. Raw materials (palm fruits) are available locally, so processing plants sit close to the source. This fits the concept.
• C. Soil is unsuitable for other crops: False. The area grows rubber, cocoa, yam and others. Eliminate.
• D. Imports raw materials for palm oil industry: Palm fruits are produced locally, not imported. Eliminate.

**Correct answer: B.

Exam tip: For location-of-industry questions, ask yourself: "Is the raw material bulky or perishable?" If yes, the industry will be near the raw material source (for example, palm oil in the Bendel area, cocoa processing in the West, cement near limestone deposits).