BLACK #STORIES:::Future of Energy In Nigeria:::Diversification from Crude Oil, Sugarcane energy to be adopted as a smarter energy system in Nigeria.

The diversification and non-dependence on crude oil exports to bolster Nigeria’s economy and the need to create thousands of jobs is an unflinching commitment of the federal government, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga has said.

During a working visit to Sunti Golden Sugar Estate farms, Sunti, Niger State, Aganga said the government is encouraging local production of sugar cane to meet the nation’s sugar need and create jobs, and refocus the economy that still relies on imports.

To achieve this, he said the government intends on implementing a full scale sugar programme to enable the nation produce over 5 million metric tonnes of sugarcane, which will far exceed the current domestic production of about 1.3 million metric per year.

With the economic crisis occasioned by the fall in oil prices, Aganga said agriculture is one of priority sectors to sustain the economy, that is why the government is pushing ahead with efforts to revive sugarcane crop to tap demand for molasses, biofuel and other derivatives. While reiterating the commitment of the government to reduce sugar importation, the minister said his organization is pleased with the efforts of ;private sector organizations such as Flour Mills of Nigeria to establish large scale sugar farms such as Sunti ,adding that the government is determined to implement the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), since it is a core component of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan to create jobs, generate wealth and enhance economic growth.

The minister noted that developing the sugar sector is clear, and the sugar master plan is the roadmap. In a bid to address the energy shortage affecting the country, he said the government will support projects designed to use sugarcane for bio-electricity plant and ethanol for export. According to him, the project will make a huge difference to the Sunti communities, as well as creating stable income for farmers involved in the sugar cane supply chain. The provision of electricity at a lower rate, he noted would have a significant impact on household budgets.

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