The Niger State Government and the Dangote Group of Company have signed a Memoradum of Understanding to the tune of N167 billion for the cultivation and processing of
Sugar.
Shortly after signing the MoU, Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello, said he had confidence siting the sugar company in Lavun Local Government area of the state would enhance the economic development of the state.
According to him, discussion on the integrated sugar project started way back in 2013 under the leadership of former Governor Babangida Aliyu.
He said, “I am happy that today as a demonstration of our commitment to the economic rejuvenation of the state for strong and robust economy, we are beginning to see the fruits of our renewed efforts.”
Bello noted that the signing of the understanding with the company underscores the economic narratives of the state from a mono source with multiple sources.
President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote said the Sugar Cane project would involve the development of a sugar cane plantation of about 16, 000 hectares that would be supplemented by an outgrower scheme to produce 12,000 tons of cane sugar per day.
“This will be crushed and refined into high quality white sugar. And today, we are here to take the first step to actualize our promise by signing an MoU with the government,” he stated.
He also explained that in support of the Federal Government Transformation Agenda in Agriculture, the group developed a sugar backward integration project plan targeted at the production of 1.5 million tons per year from various sites across the nation, in the next 10 years.
To this end, Dangote said his company would be acquiring about 150, 000 hectares for sugar plantation in Adamawa, Taraba, Nassarawa, Kwara, Kogi, and Niger states, where integrated sugar mills would be
set up.
