The federal government has commended the Emir of Lafiagi, Mohammed Kawu, and the Lafiagi community for maintaining peace and supporting the growth and progress of the Lafiagi Sugar Company.

Deputy minister for industry John Enoh, in a statement on Sunday, commended the Emir during a courtesy visit to the Emir at his palace in Lafiagi. Mr Enoh said that, among all sugar projects across the country, LASUCO had recorded the fewest community-related crises.

The minister attributed the relative peace in the area to the people of Lafiagi’s understanding and the multiplier effects of hosting a large-scale sugar project. Mr Enoh paid homage to the traditional ruler before proceeding to inspect the expansive LASUCO sugar estate in Lafiagi, owned by the BUA Group.

He said the inspection marked the beginning of a series of visits to sugar estates nationwide as the Federal Government intensified efforts to support the sugar industry to achieve its full potential.

Mr Enoh stated the importance of traditional institutions and host communities in sustaining large-scale agro-industrial investments, noting that their support was critical to the success of such projects.

He commended the Emir and the community residents for their continued support of the LASUCO project.

“When we were planning this visit, I was asked at what point I wanted to pay this courtesy call. I said as a politician, when we go on campaigns to wherever, our first port of call is the traditional institution.

“This is even more important when I am visiting a farm that is owned by the community. So, first things first, it was important to come and to let you know that I am in your community,” he said.

The minister said LASUCO stood out among sugar plantations in the country because of the positive reports he had continued to receive about community support for the project.

“We have various sugar plantations across the country, but this is one place I have continued to hear very good commentaries about the support of the community to the project,” he said.

According to Mr Enoh, the benefits of the sugar estate will first accrue to the people of Lafiagi.

“I think every support you give, you are actually giving it to your own community. Because if the plantation works, the first group of people that will benefit are the Lafiagi people,” he said.

Mr Enoh said he had spent about a year engaging stakeholders in the sugar sector, including the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council and the management of sugar companies.

“I have spent about a year talking about sugar, having meetings with the Executive Secretary of NSDC, having meetings with even the management of the various sugar companies.

“It was important to step out of Abuja and to come to the farm and see things for myself, and my hope is that at the end of this visit, some milestones will be achieved,” the minister said.

(NAN)