By LEKAN AGBOOLA, Ilorin -L
Persistent efforts of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to get the Bacita sugar company back on track have paid off as the Federal Government on has said the famous firm – now acquired by new owners – would likely commence operations in 2023.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Nigeria Sugar Institute at Jimba Oja in Ifelodun local government area of the state, AbdulRazaq commended the Federal Government for siting the research institute in Kwara and went on to urge quick resolutions of all pending issues around the moribund firm.
He said ‘We implore the minister to help us to talk to AMCON to urgently resolve the issues surrounding the Bacita sugar company. We have met with AMCON and we are aware they are trying to unbundle it”.
The appeal was followed with an announcement by the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council Dr. Latif Busari who said works have reached an advanced stage and test run production would begin in the last quarter of 2023 as new owners have commenced various background works.
That comes as AbdulRazaq announced the siting of a special economic zone in Kwara State — one of the six being established by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The Governor said the economic zone, which is to be sited in Lasoju Otte in Asa local government area of the state — is a huge investment that would attract large businesses, create jobs, and lead to socioeconomic growth of the state.