President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday mandated the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to make special funds available for the production of textiles and garments locally.
The president gave the directive after declaring open the 31st National Education Conference of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) in Abuja.
Buhari, who was represented by the registrar, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Prof. Segun Ajiboye, also called on the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to facilitate training of textile workers to sustain current efforts at improving local garments production in the country.
He said the administration was committed towards improving the industries in the country with the signing of the executive order 003.
According to him, the order mandates all “procuring authorities to give preference to Nigerian companies and firms in the award of contracts, in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007.”
The president said the CBN had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian military and paramilitary outfits, as part of efforts to revive the Cotton, Textiles and Garment (CTG) sector.
The General Secretary, NUTGTWN, Mr. Issa Aremu, in his remarks, commended the federal government for the closure of the nation’s land borders to end smuggling of goods into the country.
Aremu said the move was impressive, as it was aiding local production and consumption of goods.
According to him, garment industries have been boosted in the country, saying there is the need to sustain current efforts and support the Nigeria Customs Service to fight smuggling.
“We will like to commend the efforts of the Federal Government in the closure of its land borders; this has helped in total overhaul of textile and garment industries in the country.
“It is already on record that the textile industries are now making money, smugglers and importers have gone into hiding, border closure should not be permanent, but should be sustained for the mean time.”
Also speaking, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO’s) Mr. Reuben Bamidele said the organisation was working to promote industrial development by strengthening institutions.
