Nigeria Sugar Industry To Create 114,000 Jobs By 2020

The Federal Government says plans are underway to create over 114,000 jobs to develop the technical capacity for the sugar industry.

The Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) Dr Latif Busari stated this on Wednesday in Abuja during a media chat.

Busari also stated that the Council had set up the Nigerian Sugar Institute that will take care of both the research and training for the sector, adding that the Institute has been registered and will be lead agency for developing technical manpower capacity.

He maintained that the Council had also recruited fresh graduates and the recruitment was limited to First Class graduates adding that by Second to Third quarter of 2020,  the institute will take off.

He further explained that the Federal Government through a body called the National Industrial Policy and Competitiveness advisory council chaired by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo set up an implementation committee which recommended that they set up the institute.

On smuggling , the Executive Secretary lamented the rate at which Nigerians smuggled in foreign sugar and re-bag them in local brand bags .
He said though with the closure of the borders, the activities of smuggling has reduced but there is the need for free trade agreement to be implemented by the government.

“With the border closure, it is paying us but a lot of people are badly affected because other countries who depend on our products can’t get it because of the border closure.

“Goods can not go out and other goods from other countries can’t come in . You can’t be a global player, if you are only importing goods .

“It is necessary not to only achieve self sufficiency but ensuring that they are cost competitive,” he said.

“Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bear bad fruit.” James Allen