Bayo Akomolafe 
Inefficient crushing capacity has foiled government’s plans to reduce N1.4 trillion ($874 million) bills on 1.7 million tonnes of sugar import despite the country’s total installed capacity, which has risen to three million metric tonnes.
Findings revealed that despite the high foreign exchange of naira to dollar, some operators under the Backward Integration Programme (BIP) have not been contributing to the realisation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), making sugar production remain at 70,000 tonnes as at last year, as they prefer to import 95 per cent of sugar needed for domestic and industrial purposes.
It was learnt that the refineries were capable of creating selfsufficiency in the production of refined sugar, securing a steady supply of refined sugar for the domestic market and export.
Presently, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)’s shipping data revealed that the Rivers Ports in Port Harcourt is expected to take delivery of 30,000 tonnes from Aphros at BUA Sugar, while Desert Virtue with 57,380 tonnes has arrived at the Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL), Lagos Port to offload the consignment.
Worried by this, the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has said that it will facilitate $5 billion investment into the Nigerian sugar sector in 2025. The Executive Secretary of NSDC, Mr Kamar Bakrin, who explained at a retreat titled:
“Creating Synergy for Nigeria’s Sugar Industry Development,” organised by the council for members of the House of Representatives Committee on Industry in Calabar, noted that NSDC had a comprehensive plan for accelerated sugar project development in 2025.
However, he noted that before the 2025 plans and the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) II could be achieved, certain loopholes in the establishment law must be addressed.
He explained: “Our focus in 2024 has been on resetting the agenda and realigning the industry to the high expectations of Nigerians. For us, 2025 is the year of acceleration.
This is not a choice but a must, given our macroeconomic realities and the tremendous benefits we know are possible from the cultivation and processing of sugarcane.
“Our key priorities for 2025 are to accelerate the pace of project development; facilitate investment of $5 billion into the sector; ensure our priority greenfield projects are ready for investment and strengthen NSDC’s capacity to develop the sector..
