From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin, has declared the year 2025 as the maximum acceleration for sugar project development.
This was contained in a statement issued to The Triumph correspondent in Abuja, quoting the NSDC boss stating this at a meeting with representatives of Utham Sucrotech International from India, Niger Food Security Systems & Logistics Ltd and American West African Agro (AWAA).
The meeting explored the scope of activities of Utham in project development in view of the Greenfield project being established by AWAA in Niger State for which Utham will be providing services.
The company’s Global Business Development Leader, Mr. Sanjiv Gulati, made a presentation to the ES on its activities which include field and factory establishment of sugar projects across India, Europe and Africa.
He also spoke of Utham’s ability to fabricate equipment for sugar projects, adding that 13% sugar recovery has been achieved by the company.
He reinstated their capacity to manage sugar projects and assured the NSDC boss that Utham’s presence in Nigeria would boost sugar project development and the overall development of the subsector.
Mr. Flavio Castellari, a financial expert with Uttam, also gave an overview of the Brazilian Sugar industry and funding strategies that can be adopted in Nigeria.
On his part, the Executive Chairman of Niger Foods, Mr Sammy Adigun, talked about financing arrangements through sovereign and corporate guarantees for the development of the 100,000Ha Sugar project in Niger State.
He also spoke of the company’s record in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) among others.
The NSDC boss assured the investors of adequate support geared towards accelerating the development of projects in Nigeria with an emphasis on yield improvement in sugar estates.
He further requested to know the expectations for the Sugar recovery rate concerning the activities of Utham at the Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR). He was assured of 12.3%.
Also in the NSDC team were the Director of Strategy and Performance Management, Ms Edirin Akemu; the Senior Adviser to the ES, Mr Teslim Bello; the Acting Director of Project Development and Investment Promotion (PDIP), Mr Balarebe Ladan; and the Head Project Development and Support Division, Mr John Adaga.