National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria say human capital and infrastructure development remain the cardinal principle of its vision and mission overtime.
The National President, Comrade John Adaji made this known at the ground-breaking and foundation laying for the construction of the union’s training center and lodge in Kaduna.
Comrade John Adaji said the idea behind the foundation laying for construction of the edifice was borne out of the desire to improve and expand the union’s infrastructural investments.
He established that when compared to other big unions in the country, the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria had in time past taken the lead in terms of infrastructure development, to create conducive working environment for members.
{…As you are aware, our union as far back as nineteen eighty was the first union with the vision of owing a structure and we can beat our chest that by the time we were having structures and offices around the country, many of the big unions today had not started…}
Comrade Adaji said beside providing accommodation for members and other segments of the society, the facility would not only be a source of revenue generation, but a one stop center for different trainings in the textile, tailoring and garment sub sector of the economy.
{…As the number continue to dwindle, which the number of members, as factories continue to close, the union must devise means of improving its income provisions and the only way we can do that beside navigating into organising the unorganisable especially in the informal sector is equally to see how to improve on the investment we have…}
On cost implication of the entire project, Comrade Adaji submitted that the unstable market prices of items would not allow the union to peg a specific fee to what would be spent; however, he was optimistic that the union was deeply committed in achieving its target.
The President further commended the Union’s founding fathers who laid solid foundations for successive leaders to build on, a situation he noted would continue to outlive many generations.
He also poured encomium on the media for supporting the union’s activities particularly the advocacy for revival of textile mills in the country, stressing that when resuscitated; the textiles would create jobs for many Nigerians.
General Secretary of the Union, Comrade Ali Baba said the foundation laying ceremony was a historic moment in the union’s journey that had come at a time of dwindling finances.
Comrade Ali Baba was however, hopeful that members would support completion of the project.
COV/Terfa Awuhe
