Boasts Of Expansive Sugar Cane Plantation Begins Crushing Next YearBEFORE the liquidation of the Nigeria Sugar Company (NISUCO) Bacita, in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, it was reputed for quality production of sugar and the capacity to provide gainful employment opportunities to the people of the state. NowThe sprawling sugar cane plantation serving as the immediate source of raw material to the company, aside affording the natives the opportunities to till the land with some monetary considerations, equally gave hunters in the area the room to hunt for grass cutters and other rodents for both commercial and consumption purposes.Then came the era of lull in the activities of the NISUCO when production was not only halted but both skilled and unskilled workers were laid off in a 'Tsunami-like manner. Expensive equipment used for production became idle as reptiles and bats took over the offices of the workers and their supervisors.But when the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE) sold the company to Josepdam Sugar Company (a division of Josepdam Group of Companies) relief came the way of the people of the community, who quickly remembered the good old days of the production era of the company.Despite the development, the dream of the people became shattered when, in early August this year, the hand of death gripped the Chairperson of the company, Mrs. Josephine Damilola Kuteyi, in a helicopter crash in Osun State. Since then, the zeal to realise the visions of the company's owners has remained dampened.Therefore, when The Guardian visited the company on Thursday this week, none of the officials was willing to talk on the company's fortune as they directed all enquiries to the Lagos State administrative headquarters of the Josepdam. Besides, they cited the private nature of the company with its unique system of operations.Sources in the company, however, said that, since last year, it had been refining raw sugar. 'There is, however, strong indication that the company will, next year start the crushing of its sugar cane. I could have said by January the crushing exercise would commence but for the sudden death of our Chairperson. The wound is yet to be fully heal.'The sugar company currently has about 40 permanent staff and between 200 and 250 casual staff for the administrative, factory and field machinery sectors.Besides, sources said the company has about 50 security staff. With the expansive sugar cane plantation already cultivated, the company will, no doubt, stop refining of raw sugar and embark on massive crushing of the sugar cane.The initial area of challenges facing the sugar company according to sources had since been overcome. These are alleged in experience level of some of the then newly recruited staff in sugar cane plantation, factory maintenance, and human resources management. However with the alleged employment of most of the former staff of the NISUCO to blend with some of the new staff the problems looked surmounted.One area of challenge still facing the staff and management of the company is that of the Fulani herdsmen incursion into the sugar cane plantation for grazing of their cattle. With constant intervention of the LGA personnel the sporadic crises between the local community and the company staff has been halted.With such equipment as steam turbine, electric motor, sand casting, foundry practice, sugar filtration, boilers, sugar melter, crystalizer, evaporators and evaporators heaters, 'those who bought the company are not regretting doing so today. The prospects are very high. Even our late chairman until her death never showed any reason to regret her action.'' Joseph dam DeclinesComment On Tin Can PortBy Godfrey OkpugieTHE Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on privatisation of public companies has recommended the cancellation, for reason of poor performance, of the concession of Tin Can Island Port Terminal 'A' to Josephdam Port Services Limited.Thus, The Guardian last week visited the company to find out the challenges that may have hampered its effective performance.It was difficult to locate the company officials at the port; and inquiry revealed that its representatives were not always at the port.Also, a visit to the company's head office at 19, Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Mushin, Lagos, did not yield positive results. The company's front office staff (a lady) referred the reporter back to the port, insisting that those in position to talk to the press had just left the office to the port.However, a gentleman, who, from appearance and carriage, is senior in rank to the lady receptionist, intervened and arranged for an authorised official to speak on the issue.Hours later, the gentleman, who identified himself simply as Mr. Omo, emerged from the office to say that the company was not willing to speak to the press on the issue. He said the Managing-Director of the company was not around.The official declined to give the phone number of the company, to enable a future contact.From available records, Josephdam was given a 10-year concession to operate the Tin Can Island Port Terminal 'A' beginning from May 10, 2006.The port, which has a length of 484 metres, handles bulk and general cargos. With its containerized and Roro operation, the port has capacity to handle an average of eight vessels monthly with staff strength of 242.Information on the company's website reveals that Josepdam Ports Services (JPS) Limited was incorporated in January 2006, as a subsidiary of Josepdam & Sons Nigeria Limited.In the same year, it won a concession contract with the Federal Government to handle bulk and general cargoes in Terminal A of the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.According to the website, the company's business activities include cargo discharge and handling, ports management, warehousing, while 99 per cent of the its operations consists of importing goods and services. Export operations hardly occur at JPS terminals.The bulk cargos that the company handles include wheat, sugar, fertilizers, malt, sorghum, and maize. Of the bulk cargo imported, wheat accounts for more than 50 per cent, the website adds.It company also controls general cargo, which includes steel, paper, textiles, vehicles and cement.
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