Mr. Zacch Adedeji, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), has reiterated the commitment of the ruling administration towards achieving self-sufficiency in local sugar production.
Mr. Adedeji stated this while receiving the Management of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital(ATBTH) in his office.
He said the country needs to cultivate 250,000 hectares of land to attain self-sufficiency in sugar production. Speaking further, he said the importation of raw sugar into the country remained a major setback towards the development of the industry.
Nevertheless, Adedeji said with the 150,000 hectares of land acquired for irrigated sugarcane cultivation, the sector would meet 50 percent of local consumption demands.
He noted that the only four licensed sugar producers in the country produce more than enough for consumption annually, likewise, new investors are welcomed.
He said, “Before the Sugar Master Plan, importation of refined sugar into the country was high but in 2013, it was stopped and more attention was given to local sugar companies. This has then exceeded the consumption rate making sure there is enough Sugar for exportation.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of ATBU’s Governing Board, Abba Lawal, said the visit was to solicit ways the hospital could upgrade to curb medical tourism among Nigerians.
He said efforts are being made to accommodate mandated teaching, research, and services, adding that the hospital doesn’t have adequate facilities and equipment to treat patients in the State.
This has caused the hospital to lose a lot of VIP patients given the inadequate facilities at the health institution.
