News Editor
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Calls for immediate action
By David Odama
In a deliberate policy trust of President Bola Tinubu to revive and revitalize ailing industries and investments, Minister of state for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh was in Cotonou, inspected the once thriving sugar production facility,
‘Savé Sugar Company’ joint venture between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
Sen. John Owan Enoh on arrival, paid a courtesy visit on his Benin Counterpart ,Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, Minister of Commerce and Industry Benin Republic, to express appreciation for the extra security measures put in place by the government of Benin Republic to secure the Savé Sugar Company which was Established in 1975.
The meeting between the two ministers resonated with shared concerns and aspirations of both countries, marking a historic moment.
Recalled that since the inception of the company, no Nigerian minister has visited the facility. signifying a bold step of commitment not only to the sugar complex but also to the bilateral relations between the two nations.
In other to have a full first hand information on the state of the company, the Minister of State proceeded on an on-site inspection of the facility and observed that the company has experienced changing fortunes and now lies almost decrepit with the last managers, Compliant of China having vacated in May 2023, at the expiration of a twenty year lease agreement.
A statement signed and made available to Journalists by the Minister’s SA media, Diana Mary Nsan
Diana Mary Tiku Nsa, indicated that the minister expressed Dldisatisfied with the deteriorating situation of the Savé Sugar Company Ltd predated the exit of the Chinese.
” A joint assessment visitation in 2021 was quite damning and recommended that Nigeria sell its equity holding in the company. This was declined by the Buhari administration, which instead preferred that upon expiration of the lease agreement with COMPLIANT, the two governments competitively source for new core investors”, the statement stated.
According to the statement, Senator John Enoh, flanked by members of his team, meticulously examined the infrastructure, assessing its potential for revival.
” Various meetings at both technical and policy levels have continued to be held , but away from these,action is needed.Seeing is believing is a common popular saying. This visit is an eye opener, and more than anything else, we seek its revival. The two countries, as a matter of urgency, need to get a worthy core investor within the shortest possible time”, Senator John Owan Enoh added.
“This is not just about sugar; it is about livelihoods, partnerships, and the shared future of our nations.However, where that is not feasible, the recommendation of the 2021 joint assessment report which submits to the selling of our equity in the company will be brought to the table for possible consideration. Action starts today”. The minister declared.
