The government has put smiles on the faces of Nzoia sugar company farmers after writing off the company’s debts in efforts to revive the ailing sugar sector.
Speaking at Nzoia Guest house on Monday July 21 2020, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya assured the farmers that the government is set to bring the ailing sugar sector back to normalcy and Nzoia sugar will be at the fore front.
Nzoia sugar company has been failing to operate efficiently following the Ksh62 billion debt that has been the major challenge leading to no payment to the farmers and also interference with the normal operations of the company.
The government has written off the debt owed by the millers to allow interested investors who meet the required standards to lease the company.
“Along-term solution is needed for this company to succeed and that’s why we are striving so hard to see it flourish and the farmers benefit fully from it.I am here to assure you farmers that the process of writing off the debt has gone through the cabinet and no one should doubt it ,” said Munya
Munya further noted that the government has opted to allow the leasing of the company but with conditions in that whoever is allowed to lease the company must accept all the workers that were working there before and with their union agreement.
He/she must take the farmers agreement of the sugarcane developments and to make sure the canes are fully absorbed and this will be done together with the county government to make sure that the out growers’ interests are fully taken care of.
His sentiments were echoed by the council of governors’ chairperson, the Kakamega county governor Wycliffe Oparanya who emphasized the same saying that the failing of the company affects the farmers directly not the leaders yet they are the voters.
“I urge all the leaders present and those from within to join hands together to fulfill the urge of reviving this company because these farmers voted us in and we can’t stand seeing them suffer,” he said.
Also present was the Bungoma county governor Wycliffe Wangamati who expressed his joy and satisfaction towards the move that has been taken by the government to bring back Nzoia, noting that the company is so precious to the people of Bungoma and the community around.
Wangamati appreciated the move that was taken to ban importation of sugar and also called for more sensitization on leasing so that it can be understood and dealt with in a proper way.
