The federal government has unveiled plans aimed at tackling some of the industrial constraints in the nation’s textile sector.
Part of the strategies being employed aim to from the drift of companies leaving the country and stop smuggling and counterfeiting-and prioritise patronage of made-in-Nigeria products by agencies of government.
The Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, gave the hint at the weekend during a tour of textile factories in Kano as part of activities during the North-west Regional Customer Forum.
The forum, which was organised by the Bank of Industry (BoI) has as its theme: ‘The Role of Financial Institutions in driving the industrial development of a nation: A-Z of accessing BOI’s credit facility.’
Apart from this, the development finance institution has been at the vanguard of reviving the once moribund sector, having approved loans to over 70 projects in the CTG value chain.
Abubakar toured the factories in company of the President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Jacobs, the General Secretary of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Isah Aremu and the General Manager of BOI, Mr. Joseph Babatunde, among other dignitaries.
Speaking during the event, the minister said government had identified several issues including gas supply, smuggling and counterfeiting as constraints which would be addressed to revive the textile industry in the country.
She said: “Some of the issues we are trying to address are the issues of smuggling and counterfeiting. Gas supply to the North. We are also trying to address the issue of patronage. On the issue of patronage, I am sure that by next year we will see more results because they also told us that special interests have come forward to them.”
She urged the operators to articulate their thoughts on how to move the industry forward and ensure that the critical role of the sector in the nation’s economy is sustained.