National Union Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria say intervention initiated by the Federal Government has not solved the problem bedevilling the textile sector in Nigeria.
The interventions as listed by the General Secretary of the union Comrade Ali Baba included the Anchor Borrower Programme, Executive 003, Anti-Smuggling Campaign and Border Closure and improvement in Power Infrastructure.
The General Secretary Comrade Ali Baba made the disclosure in his office during an exclusive interview with Radio Nigeria Kaduna.
Comrade Ali Baba alluded to the fact that some persons who had little or knowledge of the textile industry benefited immensely from interventions to revive the sector.
He regretted by most of those who collected intervention funds from the federal government channelled same to the establishment of other business ventures.
“…In Kano somebody used his own to establish a Radio
Station and a water factory, that is intervention that
was meant for the textile and even those that were not in the textile benefit and they were in the forefront
of those pushing for it, when it came they diverted to other places…”
To bring back the textile industry, Comrade Ali Baba said the government must show willingness and commitment in the task of reviving the sector particularly in addressing the issue of power supply, checking smuggling as well as counterfeiting which are major problems affecting the sector.
The General Secretary also harped on the need for government to protect local manufacturers from foreigners especially China that have the capacity to produce all manner of fabrics and dump same in Nigeria.
Comrade Ali Baba was optimistic that the revival of the textile industry which has the potential to employ thousands of people in the country would greatly assists to curb youth restiveness.
“…Textile industry is an industry that is labour intensive and when these factories were operating the issue of Kidnapping and social unrest was not there, so, bringing back the industry will assist in curbing social vices in the society…”
The general Secretary however pointed out that the union would support any initiative the cause the revival of the textile sector in Nigeria.
Awuhe Terfa
