The Federal Government through National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has rolled out plans to create over 114,000 jobs to develop the technical capacity for the sugar industry.
The Executive Secretary of the NSDC, Dr Latif Busari, who noted this on Tuesday in Abuja during media chat further said they have set up the Nigerian Sugar Institute that will take care of both the research and training for the sector .
According to him, the Institute has been registered and will be lead agency for developing technical manpower capacity .
He said they have 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 who recommended that they set up the institute.
On smuggling, the ES lamented the spate in which Nigerians smuggle in foreign sugar and rebag them in local brand bags .
He said though with the closure of Border closure, the activities has reduced but there is the need for free trade agreement to be implemented by the Federal 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.
