The Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Zacch Adedeji FCA, earlier today played host to a team of business tycoons from ZGM Investment Limited, an indigenous business conglomerate with interest in oil and gas, construction and agro-allied services, led by its Chairman/CEO, Dr. Abbey Jubril Onas. On hand to receive the visitors with the Council boss was the Chairman, NSDC Governing Board and Etsu Tsaragi, HRH Alhaji A.K Kpotwa. The team’s visit is coming on the heels of recent positive developments in the sugar industry, with particular reference to the recent approval of the NSMP Phase 2 by President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr. Adedeji, while pledging the Council’s readiness to welcome prospective investors with genuine interest in the industry, stated that the Council is both a regulatory and developmental agency charged with the responsibility of developing the nation’s sugar sub-sector. “The Federal Government through the National Sugar Development Council is currently implementing a 10-year master plan known as the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan. The plan has four cardinal objectives which include; for Nigeria to attain self sufficiency in sugar production, stem the rising tide of sugar importation, create jobs for our teeming population and generate electricity and produce ethanol for industrial use”. “Our annual local sugar consumption stands at 1.7 MMT. A total of 250,000 hectares would be required to cultivate cane for production. And as we speak the entire hectares currently managed by existing investors is less that 100,000. So, there is still room for other investors like you to come in and partake in what we are doing here”. Speaking on NSMP Phase 2 recently approved by President Buhari, and what it portends for the sector, Mr. Adedeji said, “you people are coming at the right time. Only recently President Buhari graciously approved phase 2 of our master plan for sugar sector. This is an indication of the fact that government is keen about the sector given its numerous potential and the opportunities it holds for the nation. We are very open to genuine investors. Our technical department is peopled by experts with the requisite knowledge and expertise to help you achieve your goals. As part of the incentive we have in place to encourage investments, we go ahead to carryout prefeasibility on any site procured by would-be investors”. Earlier in his remarks, Chairman/CEO ZGM Investment Limited, Dr. Abbey Jubril Onas said he was in the Council to get first hand information on investment opportunities in the sector, also stressed the need for a level playing ground for all investors regardless of their status. “We have come to meet with your team to get first hand information on opportunities in the sugar sector. We are a team of serious and genuine business people with stakes in oil and gas, manufacturing, telecommunications and agro-allied services. We have partners across different continents and countries. We pride on our unmatched record of excellence, integrity and transparency in all our engagements. Our organization wants to be part of the reforms going on in the sugar industry. Like you rightly said in your remarks, the market is quite huge and has room to accommodate both big and small companies”. “I am particularly interested in creating jobs and empowering our people to enable them live happily and peacefully. I’m passionate about empowering people. This is why I ventured into business in the first place”.