By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Managing Director of Dangote Sugar Refinery Company, Mr Abdullahi Sule, has disclosed that the firm plans to set up a sugar refinery plant worth $450 million in Niger State.
Mr Sule said already, locations for refinery have been sighted, pointing out that underground works were underway. He also said the company was in talks with the state government.
The firm’s boss, who paid a visit to the Niger State Governor, Mr Abubakar Sani Bello, at the Government House in Minna, stated that, “The group will be investing $450 million on sugar alone and this is explicitly stated in the MOU.”
According to him, “For the Sugar, we have identified the site and carried out feasibility study of the site; we have equally had the survey of the site, soil test of the site and done the demarcation of the land to enable us plant different crops.”
Mr Sule said further that Dangote was determined to ensure that Nigeria achieve self-sufficiency in sugar production.
He assured the Governor that the refinery would boost economy of Niger State and also increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.
In his remarks, the state Governor assured Mr Sule of his government support for the smooth take-off of the project.
He said the Ministries of Agriculture, Lands and Justice have been directed to ensure things get on the way promptly.
He commended the company for deciding to cite the sugar refinery in Niger State. He described the project as laudable.
Adedapo Adesanya