The House of Representatives Committee on Industry has announced intentions to amend the law that establishes the National Sugar Development Council. These amendments aim to empower the management team to effectively implement the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan II. The committee’s Chairman, Dolapo Badru, revealed this during a retreat for committee members in Calabar, Cross River State. Badaru praised the Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Sugar Development Council, Kamar Bakrin, and his team for their work over the last year.
Badru emphasized the committee’s commitment to achieving the council’s 2025 sugar project development plan. He stressed the need to formalize the NSMP into law to boost investor confidence and address loopholes that allow some operators to evade their responsibilities. The proposed amendments to the NSDC Act will address these issues.
During the retreat, Bakrin highlighted the importance of addressing loopholes in the establishment law for the 2025 plans and Sugar Master Plan II to succeed. He outlined the initiatives planned for 2025 to drive the realization of the master plan. These initiatives include accelerating project development, attracting $5bn in sector investment, preparing priority greenfield projects for investment, and enhancing NSDC’s capacity.
Bakrin also discussed the progress made since assuming office in October 2023 and emphasized the need to make sugar production viable in Nigeria, maximize sugarcane processing benefits, align NSMP incentives with performance, and position NSDC as a leading Development Agency. He outlined the threefold objectives of NSMP II, which include achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production, developing a globally competitive sector, and fostering inclusivity and sustainability.
To achieve these objectives, Bakrin highlighted seven pillars for change, such as ensuring suitable land for sugarcane farming, partnering with motivated investors, attracting appropriate capital, investing in research and development, diversifying product mix, de-risking projects, and promoting sustainable practices. Initiatives are also underway to enhance NSDC and NSI capabilities through technical and managerial improvements and research and development enhancements.