The National Sugar Development Council, NSDC, has declared 2025 as a year of maximum acceleration for sugar project development.
Executive Secretary of the NSDC, Mr. Kamar Bakrin, made the declaration on Friday when he met with representatives of Utham Sucrotech International from India, Niger Food Security Systems & Logistics Ltd and American West African Agro, AWAA.
Bakrin’s meeting with the investors explored the scope of activities of Utham in project development in view of the Greenfield project being established by AWAA in Niger State for which Utham will be providing services.
Speaking at the meeting, the Global Business Development Leader of Utham, Mr. Sanjiv Gulati, made a presentation to Bakrin on the company’s activities which include field and factory establishment of sugar projects across India, Europe and Africa.
Gulati also spoke of Utham’s ability to fabricate equipment for sugar projects, adding that 13 per cent sugar recovery has been achieved by the company.
He restated their capacity in managing sugar projects and assured the the NSDC boss that Utham’s presence in Nigeria will boost sugar project development and the overall development of the subsector.
Also speaking, a financial expert with Uttam, Mr. Flavio Castellari, gave an overview of the Brazilian Sugar industry and funding strategies that can be adopted in Nigeria.
On his part, the Executive Chairman of Niger Foods, Mr Sammy Adigun, spoke about financing arrangement through sovereign and corporate guarantee for the development of 100,000Ha Sugar project in Niger State.
The NSDC boss assured the investors of adequate support to accelerate the development of projects in Nigeria with emphasis on yield improvement in sugar estates.
He further requested to know the expectations in Sugar recovery rate with respect to the activities of Utham at the Dangote Sugar Refinery and was assured of 12.3 per cent.
Also in the NSDC team were: the Director of Strategy and Performance Management, Ms. Edirin Akemu; the Senior Adviser to the ES, Mr. Teslim Bello; the Acting Director of Project Development and Investment Promotion, PDIP, Mr. Balarebe Ladan; and Head, Project Development and Support Division, Mr. John Adaga.
