Nigeria’s foremost sugar producer, Dangote Sugar, has demonstrated its resolve to ensure the realisation of the country’s sugar master plan by buying farm machinery worth $35 million. The company has already taken delivery of the equipment from Panafrican Equipment Group, a recognised leader in providing mining and construction grade equipment and aftersales support solutions.

Speaking at the equipment handover ceremony held weekend at Tin Can Island Port Complex, Apapa, Lagos, Group Managing Director of Panafrican Equipment, Scott McCaw, described the transaction as a ‘landmark sale’ and his company’s biggest deal within the agricultural sector and in Africa. He opined that the sale is in line with the Nigerian 2010 transformation agenda to drive growth in the agricultural sector.

Said McCaw: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Dangote Sugar as a major supplier for their agricultural expansion project in sugar production in Nigeria. We look forward to building on this relationship and to being their partner for development in Nigeria now and in the future. As the sale includes a long-term maintenance support and parts supply contract, we fully expect to maintain a critical role in helping Dangote Sugar achieve their goals in the sugar backward integration project.”

Group Managing Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Graham Clark, in his comments said: “This purchase is in line with the Backward Integration Policy (BIP) of the Federal Government of Nigeria and National Sugar Development Council (NSDC). This is yet another milestone in the Dangote Sugar journey as we work towards the achievement of our strategic sugar master plan to produce 1.5 million metric tonnes of sugar per annum, locally.”

News Express reports that Dangote Sugar is actively pursuing a backward integration master plan with a target of producing a total of 1.5 million tons of sugar locally per annum. The subsidiary, Savannah Sugar Company Limited, Numan, Adamawa State, is geared to meet this target. Savannah Sugar is located on 32,000 hectares of land with a 50,000 MT/PA sugar production capacity. Currently, the company has 5,000 hectares on cane which is now being harvested for sugar production.

In addition, Dangote Sugar has commenced the acquisition of additional hectares of land allocated across Nigeria for the project. Plans are underway for the investment of additional N180billion towards the realization of the Dangote Sugar Project. The locations are in Sokoto, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Jigawa and Taraba states, amongst others.

•Photo shows Dangote Sugar Refinery GMD, Graham Clark.