By Mike Adeyemi
Efforts by the Kwara State Government to get the moribund Bacita Sugar Company back on track have paid off as the Federal Government on Thursday said the firm would commence full operations by the third quarter of 2023.
The Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq stated this Thursday during the commissioning of the Nigeria Sugar Institute, Jimba Oja in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
“We have already met with AMCON and we are aware they are trying to unbundle it. Hopefully, our Bacita Sugar Company will be back by the last quarter of 2023.
“Once that is done, with Bacita and BUA refineries, Kwara would be the leading producer of sugar in the whole of West Africa,” Abdulrazaq said.
He however lauded the Federal Government for siting the research institute in Kwara, urging it to address pending issues around the moribund firm.
“I commend President Muhammadu Buhari for siting one of the six special economic zones in Lasoju Otte in Asa LGA, Kwara state.
“This project is very gigantic. Six of it is to be established across the country. We facilitated the siting of the project in the state through the Honorable Minister of industry, Trade and Investment.
“We thank the Minister for his support. When completed, the project will change the economic fortune of this local government and the state at large.
“The project will involve massive infrastructural development and job opportunities. When completed, it will change the economic fortune of the local government and the state at large.
“We implore the Minister of Trade to help us talk to AMCON to resolve issues around the Bacita Sugar Company. We have met with AMCON and we are aware they are trying to unbundle it.
“Once this is done, Kwara will be the leading producer of sugar in the whole of West Africa,” the governor stressed.
Earlier, at the commissioning of the Sugar Institute, Abdulrazaq lauded Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo and the private sector players such as Alh. Aliko Dangote, Alh. Abdulsalam Rabiu of the BUA Group for their huge investment in Kwara State and initiatives to strengthen manpower in the manufacturing subsector.
