By Adeola Tukuru
Abuja
The Executive Secretary of National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Dr Latif Busari, yesterday expressed dismay that the operating mills, Savannah Sugar Council limited, canefield in Numan, Adamawa state and Sunti sugar company which is expected to produce 1.58 million metric tons of Sugar was burnt down due to the recent farmers/ herdsmen clash.
The Executive Secretary, further lamented that the Industry is bleeding from these crisis .
Dr Busari, during a chat with newsmen in Abuja yesterday, explained that the council is now expecting less than 24,000 metric tones of Sugar from Savannah and 5,000 metric tons from Sunti Sugar limited, a far cry from the total demand of 1.58million metric tons.
According to him, the burnt cane fields which was expected to start crushing production in November 24th,2017 had to stop due to the crisis.
He said “Everybody working there had to move out, so they couldn’t get the labour that they will use to cut canes. I wonder why these people will take it out on facilities which is expected to attract investors, ” he lamented.
Busari also explained that Sunti Sugar limited which is ought to produce 30,000 metric tons of Sugar for this year, produced 5,000 metric tons.
According to him, it is a security issue and the best they have done is reported to the two ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment as they have assured to get across to the Governor of the state.
