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Nigeria:Textile sector in dilemma - workers
urge government to take action |
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2005-5-23
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The National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers stated that textile sector in Nigeria is on the verge of collapse as its workers have announced that 50 more factories is in trouble and could be shut down anytime unless government takes immediate actions to retain their development.
National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers has already declared, since the country joined the World Trade Organisation nearly 100 factories had been closed, which allowed a free trade in the country.
As per the reports, out of the 150 factories existed since 1999, only ten factories are in good stage, while most of the remaining is already been shut down. United Textile Plc (UNTL) is the only remaining factory in Kaduna, which once upon a time was known as textile city. The first homegrown factory, Arewa and Kaduna textile Mill (KTL), oldest textile factory has already been vanished.
Bello Ismail, Head of Education and Research Department stated that according to the union more than 100,000 jobs had been lost. Nigeria as the second largest in Africa, after Egypt, is in great need of support from the government’s side.
The union urged the federal government to take actions to stop decline in the textile sector. However the union has appreciated the decision of imposing restrictions on the import of certain categories of textile products. It has also appealed for "setting up of a task force consisting of stakeholders to assist customs in ensuring effective implementation."
The union insisted for lower interest textile appropriation fund and proper funding of bank. It said the funds would be utilized to develop the sector.
As per the union, domestic market is big enough to consume locally manufactured products if the government makes a new orientation. To do so government must make the policy of patronage of local fabrics well known by commanding agencies, parastatals, and schools armed forces to source their uniforms locally. |
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