Dangote Sugar Refinery Moves to Improve Production to 1.5m Metric Tonnes

Daji Sani in Yola

The Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) Numan, Mr. Sylvain Judex, said the company has commenced an audacious drive to attain 1.5 million metric tonnes of sugar yearly following the company’s recent aggressive expansion drive.

Judex revealed this yesterday to journalists who were on a facility tour to the company in Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

According to him, the expansion drive has achieved significant mileage adding that the Dangote Group acquired the company situated on a 32,000 hectares in Numan in 2002 in a moribund stage but since the acquisition, the fortunes of the company has changed through the years as a result of steady expansion drive.

Judex also noted that the expansion which is eco-friendly is strictly in line with best environmental practices that will yield zero environmental pollution and the drive will also create no fewer than 8,000 job openings for Nigerians.

He further explained that the company is aiming to multiply its out grower scheme to cover 2,000 beneficiaries in the next five years in order to enhance the success of the second phase of the National Sugar Master Plan for sugar self sufficiency in the country.

“Our Out Growers Farmers are having a lot of benefits in what the company is giving them. We are into business to make our community prosperous, and everybody will be carried along. We are not in business only to make profits. We believe that, to prosper in business, peace must be here,” he said.

He noted that expansion of the sugar refinery is expected to generate 32 megawatts of electricity from installation of new turbines and 2-high pressure boilers of 90 tonnes of steam per hour, adding that the company is expected to redirect the excess energy to the national grid.

Judex added the approach will create job opportunities through Public Private Partnership to the people of the state.

He noted that the unease tension between the company and the host community which the company inherited had since dissipated because of the robust investment and the corporate social responsibility culture of the company which enhanced confidence and mutual trust between the two sides.

“There is complete harmony with our host communities but before now the going was rough,” he said.

He added that part of the CSR championed by the company include; building and rehabilitation of education and health facilities in addition to providing scholarships to indigent students. Others are empowerment programs and provision of water and electricity to the five host local governments.