Dangote to invest N40bn on Jigawa sugar factory

From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

The Chairman Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has promised to spend $250 million dollars (N40 bn) for the construction of a sugar refining company in Jigawa state.

Alh. Dangote, while speaking shortly after he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the company and Jigawa state government, said he has taken over 20,000 hectres of farm lands for the production of sugarcane, which would further be refined by the proposed factory.

He explained that, when completed, the factory would provide job opportunity to over 23, 000 people, in addition to the provision of 60 megawatts of electricity, which he said, is twice the electricity currently shared in Kano state.

According to him, “We proposed 250 million US Dollars as the initial capital of the factory and we are hoping to be on the site by September; and it would not take us long before the actual production would start”.

“The factory would produce at least 150, 000 tonnes of refined sugar daily, while it would also produce ethanol, animal feeds and paper”.

In adding to the initial job opportunity for junior staff, the company would provide jobs for at least 1,300 permanent staff that are going to be engaged fully for the company”.

Dangote maintained further that 8,000 workers are to be engaged as seasonal workers, 9,300 workers are going to be engaged during the farming season.

The Chairman noted that 10,000 farmers are going to be allowed to farm for the company of whom their produce would be bought over.

He also stated that the parent community would get schools, a hospital and clinics as part of the company’s hospitality to not only the staff of the company but also the residents of the area.

Governor Sule Lamido, on his part, assured the Dangote Group of an enabling environment to operate. He also urged Jigawa citizens to cooperate with Dangote in order to benefit from the dividend.