The Federal Government has promised to render more supports for investors and other key players in the nation’s sugar industry, towards achieving Sugar sufficiency in industrial and domestic uses of the commodity.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo made the promise in Abuja while taking briefings from the management of the National Sugar Development Council, NSDC.
He told the NSDC led by its Executive Secretary, Dr Latif Busari of the desire of the current administration of President Mohammadu Buhari to work with all stakeholders in the industry to address all its challenges.
He said that the Buhari administration had done a lot in the area of agriculture and non-oil sectors, stressing that sugar sufficiency would further support such initiatives.
The Minister expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon be at par with nations like Brazil and Mauritius, who are currently diversifying into ethanol energy production through modern technology.
The minister added that the government would also ensure full implementation of the ten-year national master-plan adopted by the Federal Government in 2012.
Earlier, Dr Busari in his presentation had enumerated some achievements of the current administration in the industry, among which he said included job creation and industrialization.
He said that part of the plan was to create 114,000 jobs and produce 1.7 million tonnes annually.
The Executive Secretary also added that with reduced importation of sugar and an increase in local production, about $350 million to $500 million would be saved in foreign exchange.
He listed Dangote Sugar Industry, BUA International Group and Golden Sugar Company as the three major operators in the industry, accounting for about 99.8% of sugar production in the country.