The 10 new tractors which were purchased at Sh. 50 Million from CMC by the Nzoia Sugar Company aimed at improving its transport of cane. phots | Protus Simiyu

Nzoia Sugar Company has purchased 10 new tractors at a cost of Sh. 50 million from CMC in a move to take over sugarcane transportation within its sugar belt from private transporters.

Addressing the press during the official handing over ceremony of the tractors, the chairman of the Board of Directors Hon. Laurence Sifuna said that the company is set to purchase another 10 tractors in the next financial year.

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He said the 10 new tractors now bring to a total of 15 company owned saying the company require over 100 tractors to be able to comfortably transport all sugarcane from all contracted farmers within its belt.

Mr. Sifuna disclosed that the project is meant to counter private cane transporters whom he said are demanding for high charges without even giving notice.

The chairman of the board Nzoia Sugar Company Hon. Laurence Sifuna assisted to operate one the tractors by a CMC engineer

We want to have our own tractors because this people every time they are demanding for increment of transportation charges a situation that is hurting our farmers financially,” he said.

The chairman said all cane that will be transported by company tractors, farmers will be charged affordable transportation fee irrespective of the distance away from the company.

He disclosed that every financial year the company will be purchasing not less than 10 tractors until its target is reached in a move to prompt cane transportation at a subsidized fee.

Further chairman noted that there are some elements of arrogance amongst the private transporters because of the monopoly they enjoy while asserting that enough company owned tractors will be weapons to force them reduce their transportation charges.

“As a company we want to ensure that the transportation fee goes down so that our farmers can fully benefit from their sweat,’’ he said.

Sifuna applauded a good working relation between Nzoia Sugar Company and CMC and at the same time appealed to the CMC Managing Director Eldoret branch Andrew Gomez to continue supporting the company.

Also present at the official handing over ceremony was the Managing Director of Nzoia Sugar Company Saul Wasilwa, members of the board of directors amongst managers of various departments at the company.