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Olabode Adaramola
The Dangote Group has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Niger State Government for the establishment of a state-of–art and fully integrated sugar complex that will generate over 15,000 jobs in the State.
The $450Million(N166billion) pact was signed on Wednesday in Minna Niger State Capital, with President/ Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote signing on behalf of his Group, while the Governor of the State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello signed for Niger State.
Aljaji Danfote said that the new deal will see the company producing raw sugarcane on 16,000 hectares of land at Lavun Local Government of the state, through an outgrower scheme.
He srated further that the investment was informed by its firm believe in the potentials of the Nigerian economy, adding that the new investment will add value and create jobs for Nigerians.
He also commended Governor Sani Bello for his foresightedness and efforts to woo investors to Niger State, adding that the Dangote Sugar Refinery is the largest in Africa and second largest in the world.
According to him, the Dangote’s Integrated Sugar Project in Niger atate will also include the establishment of integrated sugar mills, generate power, produce molasses, ethanol fuel, biomass and produce animal feeds.Also in his remarks Governor Abubakar Sani Bello said the deal will revolutionize agriculture in his state and Nigeria, while expressing joy that the MoU was signed in the life of his administration.
He described President of Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote as the liberator of the Nigerian economy and a dependable partner.
He thereby urged Dangote Group to explore other investment opportunities available in the state, just as he announced that the state was opened for investment.
Similaely, representative of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Alhaji Aminu Bisala said Dangote is the biggest private sector supporter of the Nigerian economy, and Federal Government policies.
He said the FG was comfortable with the numerous investments efforts
of the Dangote Group.
of the Dangote Group.
Speaking, Chairman of the Niger State Traditional Council Etsu Nupe
Alhaji Abubakar Yahyah said he was elated about the huge investment
coming to his state, while praying Allah to bless the Dangote Group.
Alhaji Abubakar Yahyah said he was elated about the huge investment
coming to his state, while praying Allah to bless the Dangote Group.
The Dangote Group had sponsored an Investment Summit in the State last week when the MoU was delayed till this week.
The Investment Summit sponsored by the Dangote Group was attended by former Presidents, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo and Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, who described the private sector as key to the country’s economic development.
Group Managing Director of Dangote Sugar Plc Abdullahi Sule had said
the MoU will be a Game Changer for Niger State economy and Nigeria.
He said the integrated sugar Mills will have the capacity to produce
160,000Mwtric Tons of raw sugar.
the MoU will be a Game Changer for Niger State economy and Nigeria.
He said the integrated sugar Mills will have the capacity to produce
160,000Mwtric Tons of raw sugar.
Mr. Sule said the Dangote Group is supporting government industrialization effort through backward integration policy in agriculture.
According to him, the Dangote Sugar Refinery is developing a sugar
backward integration plan through the production of 1.5MT/PA in 10
years in: Nasarawa, Adamawa, Kogi, Kwara, Taraba and Niger states
respectively.
backward integration plan through the production of 1.5MT/PA in 10
years in: Nasarawa, Adamawa, Kogi, Kwara, Taraba and Niger states
respectively.
The Group’s Executive Director Stakeholders’ Management and Corporate Communication Ahmed Mansur had also announced that the Group was investing over $1billion in the agricultural sector in the country, specifically in rice, sugar, tomato and dairy.
Niger State Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry Rahmatu Muhammad Yar’adua had had said at the summit that the deal with Dangote Group will help grow the agricultural sector and create direct and indirect jobs in the state.
Speaking at the summit last week, Speaker of the State House of
Assembly, Right Hon . Ahmed Marafa Guni said the state was desirous of wooing more investors like Dangote Group, adding that it was at the verge of creating an Investment Promotion Agency for the state.
It was gathered that the Dangote Group’s foray into sugar business began in 1981. It has injected over N38billion into the Savannah Sugar Company Limited it acquired from government in 2003.
Savannah Sugar this year produced 20,000MT of raw sugar from its plantation.
The Dangote Group is Nigeria’s biggest employer outside government.
Photo Caption:
President Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote left Governor Abubakar Sani Bello signing the Mou at government house Minna Niger state on Wednesday.
