By Lucy ogalue
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) is joining forces with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) to accelerate investment in the sugar subsector.
This partnership aims to enhance the council’s mandate, as outlined in the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), now in its second phase.
The Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr Kamar Bakrin, said this on Wednesday, when a delegation from ACCI led by its President, Dr Emeka Obegolu, visited him in Abuja.
Bakrin said the Council had been able to execute its mandate through the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), which he said was in its second phase.
He highlighted the NSMP’s objective: to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar production, targeting 2 million metric tons annually, exceeding the current 1.8 million tons consumption.
“The plan is built on seven pillars, including identifying viable sites for sugarcane cultivation and sugar production.
“A nationwide survey and robust technology platforms will facilitate this process.
“The sector requires an estimated 5 billion dollars, and the council will facilitate funding mobilisation.
“Additionally, NSDC is committed to providing critical infrastructure, such as irrigation facilities, to support sugar investments and host communities.”
Bakrin expressed optimism about the partnership, anticipating fruitful collaborations between NSDC and ACCI.
“We take ACCI very seriously and we expect that we will be able to key into some of your activities and that they will actually lead to fruitful partnerships with the Council.
“I mean, the various parties that ACCI represents, as well as those interests that we are seeking to promote on our side,” Bakrin said.
Earlier, ACCI President, Dr Emeka Obegolu, emphasised the importance of partnership and collaboration to add value to NSDC’s mandate.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA