Date: 2013-05-22

The efforts of the Kwara State Government to improve the state economy and create jobs received a boost yesterday as the Dangote Group announced plan to invest over $600million in the production of sugar in Kwara, Kebbi and Sokoto states.
The President of the group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, disclosed this yesterday during a courtesy call on Kwara  State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, at Government House, Ilorin, the state capital.
Dangote who explained that the company was targeting about 65 tons of sugar from the investment, said the company will provide about one million jobs for unemployed youths in the country.
While saying that the project would take off before the end of this year, Dangote disclosed that the company has identified Patigi Local Government Area for the sugar cane plantation.
According to him, the company would produce and grow two millions of tons in the next five years, pointing out that the project will enable the country to be self-sufficient in terms of production instead of depending on importation.
In his address, the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed pledged the readiness of his administration to create an enabling environment for investors in the state.
Ahmed commended Dangote Group for the choice of Kwara as one of the states to host its company with an assurance that the state government will do everything possible to ensure that the project and other would-be investors strive in the state.