The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo has said that Bacita Sugar Company, the first Nigerian sugar manufacturer, would resume production in 2023.
While speaking at the official commissioning of the Nigeria Sugar Institute at Jimba-Oja in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, the Minister said the commitment of the Federal Government to partner with private investors in sugar industry would accelerate industrialization and hasten the economic growth of the country.
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Adebayo stated that investment already made by the Federal Government and the private sector in sugar industry was capable of creating over 100,000 jobs in agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
He said, “This commissioning is a landmark achievement and a testament to what public private partnership can achieve.
“The sugar industry holds a special place in Nigeria’s industrialisation struggle. It carries the expectation of creating over 100,000 jobs. The NSI is one of the key instruments for its sustainability.”
The minister commended the Kwara State government and other stakeholders in the partnership for the support given to the ministry in actualising the project. He therefore pledged to meet expectations of the country in sugar development through sugar master plan.
Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Sugar Institute, Dr Latif Busari, said one of the major objectives of the institute was to develop human resources to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigeria sugarcane industry.
In his speech, Kwara state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq also pledged continued provision of conducive environment for industrial growth.
