Victor Ezeja
Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr Zacch Adedeji has denounced reports of suspension of the production and selling of sugar products in Nigeria.
The disclaimer followed a controversy that erupted as a result of a statement issued by BUA Foods earlier in the week, alleging that Flour Mills has suspended sales because the Federal Government has halted 2022 raw sugar allocation.
BUA also claimed that Dangote Sugar also suspended sales with the intention of causing artificial scarcity of the product and forcing the prices to go up.
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Both Dangote and Flour Mills have issued rebuttals clearing themselves of making attempt to suspend sales or having any compliance issues with the sugar regulatory authority.
Reacting to the development, Adedeji who spoke at the formal presentation of the 2022 presidential approval for raw sugar quota allocations to refineries, debunked the allegations made in the publication by BUA Foods, saying that there was no suspension of sales of sugar by any of the producers as a result of compliance issues or directed by the Sugar Council.
“The attention of the council was drawn to a publication in some sections of the media credited to BUA Foods on the suspension of sugar sales. Given the strategic importance of the sugar value chain to the Nigerian economy, the council wishes to state that there is no known stoppage in sugar production by any of the operators as a result of compliance issues or on the council’s mandate,” Adedeji stated.
READ ALSO: Flour Mills Knocks BUA Foods Over Alleged Sugar Sale Suspension
The NSDC boss disclosed that the 1.7 million tonnes of sugar consumed was five per cent of what was produced annually, adding that there was enough stock of the commodity for consumption.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
