The Kwara State Government has applauded the efforts of BUA towards ending sugar importation by investing $300m in sugar production in Lafiaji, Kwara State.

A statement from the firm quoted the Governor, Kwara State, Mr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, as saying that the investment was capable of creating 6000 direct and 19,000 indirect jobs.

He said, “I want to commend the management of BUA group for its recent investment in Lafiaji Sugar Company which will produce about 1.5 metric tons per annum as well as employ about 6000 people directly and another 19000 indirectly.

“This investment will significantly reduce youth unemployment in this area and bring more prosperity to the state. We pledge to continue to provide a conducive environment to support local and foreign investment in the state.”

Citing data from the United States Department of Agriculture, the governor noted that Nigeria’s raw sugar import in 2015 was estimated to be about 1.345 MT/PA adding that the figure was expected to rise to about 1.7MT/PA.

He said, “There is absence of competitive alternatives to meet the demand for local consumption in sugar. This is rather worrisome considering the fact that Nigeria is endowed with the manpower, raw materials and excellent climatic condition to produce enough sugar to meet local demand and of course export.”

The statement also quoted the Executive Director, BUA Group, Mr. Kabiru Rabiu, as saying that the firm was making a total investment of over $300m in the sugar company which would cover the sugar mill, its refinery, the ethanol and power plant as well as the agricultural aspects of the project.

He added that the plant would produce over 140,000 tons of pure refined white sugar, 25 million litres of ethanol and generate over 35 megawatts of electricity.

He said, “Our planned 500-hectare nursery development is unprecedented in the history of the Nigerian sugar industry. We intend to break yet another record by replanting over 3000 hectares of land in 2017.”

Source; http://www.agronewsng.com/2016/05/bua-group-300m-investment-in-sugar-plantation-lauded-by-kwara-state-government/

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