Dangote Group is set to build a N148 billion ($450m) Sugar factory in Niger State.
The Group has been in talks with the State government and the host communities of Jima-Nupeko villages in Lavun and Mokwa local government areas of the state for the establishment of the sugar plant for about a year now and the construction of the factory is about to commence.
Preparatory to the take-off was a meeting yesterday, between the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, represented by his deputy, Ahmad Muhammad. Ketso, and officials of Dangote Group and representatives of the host community for the proposed Sugar factory. The crucial meeting was held at the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar ‘s Wadata Palace in Bida.
The meeting was aimed at discussing and harmonizing the interest shown by Dangote Industries Limited to acquire 16,000 hectares of land for sugar cane farming and sugar production in the two local government areas within Etsu Nupe’s domain.
Speaking at the end of the meeting, the deputy governor, who stood in for the Niger State governor said that one of the means of creating job opportunities by the administration in the state was by encouraging investors and development partners to invest in the vast agricultural potentials of the state.
He challenged potential investors in agriculture and agro-allied industry to cash in on the state’s comparative advantage and various economic incentives offered by the government to invest in the sector in the state.
Meanwhile, the meeting had set up a technical committee to study and harmonise all issues that will engender successful take-off of the sugar factory and report back within six weeks, while the office of the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice was directed to prepare a memorandum of understanding (MOU) before the next meeting.
The head of Human Resource and Administration, Sugar Refinery of Dangote Group, Murtala Zubairu commended the approach of the state government for the successful take off of the multi-billion naira project which will be in phases, and will be kick started in few months with the take off of the sugar cane plantation.
Zubairu assured the government and people of the state that Dangote Group is a socially responsible entity and promised that the company will not renege on its responsibilities to the host community and the state in general.
From the preliminary plan, the sugar cane farming and the sugar factory, when in place, will provide 2,200 direct jobs, 5,300 in-direct jobs, while the plant is expected to produce 1,100 tonnes of sugar annually. The project will also produce ethanol, and generate 20 megawatts of power among others.
The state government has assured investors of conducive atmosphere for any investment made in the state. – Leadership.
