As part of efforts to attain self-sufficiency in sugar production in the country, the National Sugar Development Council, NSDC, has said two firms have indicated interest to invest in Nasarawa and Oyo states on field and agricultural operation.
Executive Secretary of NSDC, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, who disclosed this at the 2022 edition of the annual NSDC Media Parley on Wednesday, in Abuja, said the two new investors are set to sign Memoranda of Understanding, MoU, between the Nasarawa and Oyo state governments.
Adedeji disclosed that the new investors would focus on the field and agricultural aspect of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan, NSMP.
According to him, a total of four companies have also signed unto the Backward Integration Programme, BIP, of the NSMP, namely: Dangote Sugar Refinery, BUA Sugar Refinery, Golden Sugar Refinery and KIA Africa Group.
He said these BIP operators have their sites located in states across Nigeria where they are providing jobs for Nigerians and contributing to the economic fortunes of their host communities.
“The Dangote Sugar Refinery has its BIP sites in Numan Adamawa state and in Tunga in Nasarawa state, while the BUA Group has hers in Lafiagi, Kwara state, Golden Sugar BIP is located in Sunti, Niger state while that of KIA Africa is in Bacita, Kwara state,” he said.
Adedeji said the 10-year-long Nigeria Sugar Master Plan, 2013-2023, was launched to drive and revamp the sugar sector in other to restore Nigeria’s lost glory as far as sugar production in the continent is concerned.
But the sad story in the sector has changed for the better and showed some flashes of rebirth with the launch of an ambitious and well-thoughtout 10-year-long policy to drive and revamp the sector in other to restore Nigeria’s lost glory as far as sugar production with the continent was concerned.
“With the launch of the NSMP, the once comatose, moribund and neglected sugar sector roared back to life as local and international investors picked interest in the sector.
“The sugar policy is anchored on four broad, but distinct cardinal objectives which are; for Nigeria to attain self sufficiency in sugar production, stem the rising tide of sugar importation, create job opportunities, generate electricity and produce ethanol for industrial purposes.
“As captured in the master plan, Nigeria’s annual sugar consumption of 1.7 million metric tones would be met after 10 years. A total of 250,000 hectares would be required for cane cultivation, 28 factories would be established and over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs would be created for Nigerians.
“With the Phase 1 of the master plan which began in 2013 reaching its crescendo in the first quarter of 2023, the Federal government in a rare show of commitment to its economic diversification policy through the promotion of industrialization has graciously approved Phase 2 of the policy, with actual implementation to begin in 2023 through 2033,” he said.
The NSDC boss noted that the granting of the NSMP Phase2 by President Muhammadu Buhari is a reconfirmation of the trust and confidence that he has in the sector.
He added that “in line with the expectations of Mr. President and Nigerians, we shall in the shortest possible time attain self sufficiency in sugar production, and subsequently export to countries within the continent.”
He said the NSMP is not about sugar production alone, but its ability to take millions of Nigerians out of poverty, develop infrastructure and improve the economic status of communities hosting sugar projects.
