The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Joseph Utsev, has vowed to address the ongoing irrigation problems that are disrupting sugar production in Nigeria. Speaking during a meeting with the Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Kamar Bakrin, in Abuja, Utsev expressed his ministry’s full support for the NSDC’s efforts toward achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production.

Bakrin highlighted critical concerns regarding inadequate water access for sugar estates, which are essential for the cultivation of sugarcane. He explained that sugarcane, a crop requiring between 1,500 and 2,500mm of water during its 12-18 month growth cycle, suffers from poor yield and quality when irrigation systems are unreliable. This, in turn, results in reduced sugar output, a challenge the sector has been grappling with.

The NSDC’s CEO also called for the approval of a 20-kilometre canal system to transport water from River Hadejia to the Great Northern Nigeria Agri-business Limited (GNAL) sugar project in Jigawa State. This project, which is poised to create over 5,000 jobs, has been delayed due to the lack of reliable irrigation infrastructure. Despite securing a Water Use Licence in 2018, the project is still waiting for final approval for its Bulk Water Supply and Irrigation System designs.

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Bakrin further appealed for the implementation of a 2023 Presidential directive exempting businesses in the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) II from paying water usage fees. He noted that the Dangote Sugar Refinery has continued to face increased charges for water access from the Kiri Dam. He also requested support for dredging the Kiri Dam, constructing primary canals, and improving flood risk management at the Golden Sugar Estate in Sunti, Niger State.

In response, Minister Utsev assured that his ministry would work closely with the NSDC to resolve the pressing irrigation challenges and enhance the water supply for sugarcane production. Emphasizing the importance of water for the growth of sugarcane—about 70% of which is water by weight—Utsev reiterated his commitment to collaborating with other relevant bodies to strengthen local sugar production. He affirmed that the government’s broader economic objectives include bolstering the sugar sector to improve livelihoods across the nation.