Minister pledges to address issues affecting water supply in sugar plantations
The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Joseph Utsev, has pledged to find solutions to the number of issues affecting the supply of water to sugar estates across the country.
The Minister said supporting the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) to achieve its mandate in the area of self-sufficiency in sugar production is a task that must be done, adding that his Ministry would do everything possible to tackle the identified stumbling blocks.
The Minister said this when he hosted the Executive Secretary/CEO of the NSDC, Mr. Kamar Bakrin, and his management team in his office, added that he is willing to work with the NSDC and other stakeholders to address the issues
“You are welcome. As we all know, sugarcane cannot actually do anything reasonable without water. Sugarcane is about 70% water content. Even if the fibres are there and the water is not there, it cannot be enhanced. So what we want to assure you is that the Ministry is open and available at all times to support the local production of sugar. Just give us the necessary information at the right time. That is just what we need to key into it. Because whatever we can do to support any person, organisation or private partners in achieving the mandate of the state, we are ready. So, I want to assure you that all the proposals here are welcome.
Mr. Bakrin sought the support of the Minister in addressing and finding lasting solutions to the issues surrounding irrigation and access to water which the sugar operators complain about.
“Sugarcane requires a steady supply of between 1,500mm and 2,500mm of water throughout its extensive growth cycle, which spans 12 to 18 months. Without this, the crop suffers, leading to lower yields and diminished sugar content.
“Sustainable water sourcing is required for modern irrigation which minimises environmental impact and enhances viability. Water availability impacts both sugarcane quality and yield. Sufficient water boosts sucrose levels, enhancing sugar output per hectare and supporting profitability. Sugarcane growth relies on water availability and enables optimal yields,” he said.
Specifically, the NSDC boss sought the approval of the Minister for a 20km open canal water conveyance system from River Hadejia to Gagarawa in Jigawa state to service the Great Northern Nigeria Agri-business Limited which has a 5,000 TCD project in Hadejia. The Executive Secretary noted that the project will create more than 5,000 jobs from its farm and factory operations on completion.
Going down memory lane, the ES informed the Minister that GNAL signed an MOU with the Jigawa State Government in June 2015 to develop a sugarcane farm and processing factory to produce 100,000 tons of sugar annually.
“Based on this MOU, GNAL acquired over 12,000Ha of farmland in Gagarawa LGA of the state.
He therefore requested that the Minister intervene and grant approval of GNAL’s design of the sugar estate’s BWS and Field Irrigation System.
Mr. Bakrin also sought the implementation of the Presidential approval for the exemption of businesses participating in the Nigeria Sugar Masterplan (NSMP) II from payment of Annual Right-of-Way or assigned water usage or any such fees.
