By VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

GOVERNOR Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State has called on the Federal Government to apply stiffer measures to curb smuggling of textile materials into the country, warning that if smuggling is not checked, all efforts at reviving the textile industry will come to nothing.

Speaking at the just concluded 10th Quadrennial National Delegates’ Conference, NDC, of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, in Asaba, the Delta State capital, the governor demanded for a concerted effort by all Nigerians to return the industry to pre-1987 boom.

Disturbed by the high rate of smuggling of textile materials to the country, which has adversely affected indigenous production, Yakowa argued that the situation had reduced patronage on made in Nigeria textile.

The governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Muktar Yero expressed concern that the textile industry which was once the highest employer of labour in Nigeria was gradually becoming moribund due to impact of smuggling.

According to him, “if smuggling is not addressed urgently and textile industries are fully revived they will find it difficult to compete favourably in the market.”

He urged Textile producers who had received the textile loan to assist others who had not been able to ensure that many more mills come on stream and said decent jobs for youths was a major problem  confronting  government.

According to him, decent jobs were a major solution to insecurity and urged the union to provide ways to improve jobs. Noted that if more textile industries return the multiplying effect will be on all.

Earlier the NUTGTWN had called on Delta State Government to revive Asaba Textile mill, lamenting that it used to be 3rd largest textile producer in Nigeria with over 5,000 employees.

General Secretary of NUTGTWN, Comrade Issa Aremu, argued that the current investment in electricity by the state government should be able to resuscitate Asaba textile mill to absorb many of the army of unemployed youths and reduce the numbers of those joining the group of Okada riders.

Comrade Aremu commended the Federal Government for the loan that led to the revival United Nigeria Textile, UNT Plc, and others, noting that even “Suntex is trying to come back.”

Responding, Delta State Deputy Governor, Professor Amos Otuama, said Asaba Textile Mill was receiving the attention of the state government, lamenting that part of the  stumbling blocks were legal and economic.

He however said “I assure that as soon as the issues are solved the place will be put back into operation. Textile industry is working to satisfy the needs of Nigerians that is why Delta state is working to revive education, transport and other infrastructures.”

Speaking, Minister of Labour, Chief Wogu stressed the need for the workers in the country to ensure a commensurate productivity to guarantee the nation’s aspiration of joining the league of 20 most vibrant economies in the world.

According to Wogu, “no nation can make progress with low productivity index. Government as an employer of Labour will soon make a commensurate productivity demand on Labour, because our current level of productivity cannot sustain our aspiration of joining the league of 20 largest world economies.”