The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Joseph Utsev, has pledged to provide lasting solutions to the water supply issues affecting sugar estates across the country.
Utsev expressed his commitment to supporting the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) in achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production.
Utsev’s assurance was made when he hosted NSDC Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kamar Bakrin, and his management team.
Bakrin had sought Utsev’s support in addressing irrigation and water access challenges reported by sugar operators.
He highlighted that adequate water availability is essential for both the quality and yield of sugarcane, explaining that sufficient water boosts sucrose levels, enhances sugar output per hectare, and supports profitability.
“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,” Bakrin stated.
Bakrin also requested the Minister’s approval for a 20km open canal water conveyance system from River Hadejia to Gagarawa in Jigawa State to service Great Northern Nigeria Agri-business Limited (GNAL), which operates a 5,000 TCD sugar project in Hadejia.
GNAL had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Jigawa State Government in 2015 to develop a sugarcane farm and processing factory expected to produce 100,000 tons of sugar annually, creating over 5,000 jobs.
“Based on this MOU, GNAL acquired over 12,000 hectares of farmland in Gagarawa LGA of the state.
“The design and tender process for the factory construction have been completed, and more than 1,600 hectares of land has been cleared” Bakrin said.
He explained that GNAL received a Water Use License in 2018 with an annual abstraction threshold of 249 million cubic meters for irrigation.
Although the design for the Bulk Water Supply (BWS) and Field Irrigation System was completed and submitted in 2022, it has yet to receive Ministry approval.
Bakrin requested the Minister’s intervention for prompt approval.
he further sought the implementation of 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 fees. Despite this 2023 approval, he noted that Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) still faces water charges from Kiri Dam.
“DSR applied for Ministry approval in 2022 to construct a Primary Canal to supply water to parts of its estate. However, this request is still pending,” Bakrin said.
Other requests included support for dredging Kiri Dam and the construction of primary canals to improve water access for DSR, which has over 15,000 workers and anticipates higher water demand as it expands sugarcane cultivation.
Bakrin also proposed approval for Niger River Flooding Management to mitigate flood risks affecting Sunti in Niger State, where Golden Sugar Estate is located.
He suggested regular dredging of the Niger River, installation of flow gauges for real-time monitoring, and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to improve flood prediction and response. “This project has created about 5,000 jobs but faces significant flooding threats,” he added.
Emphasizing the importance of addressing these challenges, Bakrin pointed out that operators have resorted to importing sugar from Brazil, which negatively impacts the local economy. “We need to stop this because it’s too costly for local production,” he stated.
Assuring of swift action, Minister Utsev acknowledged that sugarcane is about 70% water content and that adequate water is essential for production. He stated,
“The Ministry is open and available at all times to support local sugar production. Just provide the necessary information at the right time.”
“We are ready to support any organization or private partner in achieving the state’s mandate. All proposals here are welcome,” he affirmed.
Utsev concluded by thanking the NSDC team, saying, “Your efforts are vital to reviving the economy and enhancing the well-being of our people. Any assistance you need, including coordination with other ministries, is welcome.”
