The efforts of Governor Yahaya Bello to revamp Kogi State economy has gotten a boost with three new Sugar Companies set to come on stream in Oguma, Bassa Local Government Area; Ike-Bunu in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area; and Isanlu Esa in Yagba West Local Government Area.
The companies are to be established by the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) and will help generate over 5000 employment for citizens of Kogi state.
The council has, in a letter through the Kogi state commissioner for Agriculture, requested a stakeholders engagement and handing over of sites to commence feasibility study after which they selected the three LGAs based on availability of necessary raw materials.
The state commissioner for agriculture, Hon Kehinde Oloruntoba said direct and indirect jobs would come on stream for the people of the state as a result of the projects.
He added that aside the availability of raw materials, the efforts of the state government in securing state has made it possible for investors to sink their resources into Kogi State.
Recall that the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), had announced in November 2018 of a partnership with Kogi State Government to invest the sum of $350m into sugar production in the State.
Alhaji Salihu Bkeke, who led a delegation to the state government house in Lokoja told reporters that some foreign investors had committed the huge resources in that area in view the potentials of the state and confidence in the administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
He said; “Kogi government under the leadership of Alh Yahaya Bello is no doubt, an agricultural friendly state. We have a masterplan with a roadmap on possible ways of achieving this fit. Based on the roadmap we have in place, we look for potential sugar growing states, and Kogi State is one of the best states so far with such opportunities from the feasibility studies done.”
