By Joan Nwagwu
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the urgent resuce of the textile industry in the country.
Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President made the call at the 13th National Delegates Conference of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) on Tuesday in Abuja.
The theme of the conference is, “Building Union Power for Sustainable industrialization and the future of work,”.
Ajaero said that it was imperative to resuce the industry as there was no nation that jokes with its textile sector due to its value chain and the great potentials for job creation both directly and indirectly.
According to him, we must all join hands to rescue our nation’s textile sector as its holds a pivotal position in the tapestry of our nation’s development.
“It is not merely a sector of economic activity but a cornerstone upon which the foundation of sustainable industrialization is built.
“The textiles industry has historically been a major employer, contributing significantly to job creation and economic growth in our nation.
“Moreover, it serves as a catalyst for the development of downstream industries and the expansion of the value chain, thereby fostering inclusive growth and prosperity, ”he said.
He added that nonetheless, we have witnessed publicised efforts made by past governments to resuscitate the sector.
“But it does appear that the louder the noise of doing something to revive the sector, the more it goes under,”he said.
The NLC president noted that Nigerians have witnessed the N100b and the recent N50b Textile Revival Implementation Committee (TRIC) to revamp and revive the CTG Sub-sector.
According to him, one wonders what has happened to all these funds voted for revamping the sector? Were the funds ever accessed or were they mismanaged or misapplied?
“Nigerians would want to know what happened and why the sector is still struggling despite the purported injection of these funds,”he said.
Ajaero while speaking on the theme of the conference said it epitomizes the resilience and vision of the trade union movement in navigating the challenges of our time.
He added that the theme also offers hope as it demonstrates the understanding that when we build power.
“We can use it to checkmate the forces that have kept not just the textile industry down but our entire economy backward and comatose,”he said.
He therefore commended the union for its unwavering commitment and tireless efforts in advancing the interests of its members and the broader labour movement.
Also, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, has called on Labour leaders to interrogate the industral policies of government for the benefit of workers in the country
According to Oshiomhole, you must ensure to see through how these policies of government are implemented.
“So each and everyone of you must understand that the situation we are in, will require that you organise and build that power at the industrial level and at the national level.
“This is in order for you to interrogate policies choices. You must ask what went wrong in the textile industry as that is the way we can find sustainable solutions, to the sector,”he said.
He therefore said that the labour leaders needs to educate government on certain policies as every government needs pressure points.
He added, that you must must be united and ensure that while doing the interrogation that your voice is loud and coherent
Speaking, Mr John Adaji, President of NUTGTWN said the importance of industry could be over-emphasised.
According to Adaji, the key to real transformation and economic recovery lies in manufacturing.
“The Textile Industry alone if fully in operation has the capacity to create millions of direct decent jobs thereby bridging the huge unemployment gap in the country.
“Today, the cotton, textile and garment sub-sector of the economy which used to be the second largest employer of labour after the public sector is on steady decline due to company closures and massive loss of jobs.
“Unrestrained smuggling and importation of textile products have become the order of the day,”he said.
He therefore called for the full implementation of the federal government’s Executive Order 003 w
“If fully implemented, it is capable of leading to the recovery of the Nigeria’s textile and garment industry and attract more investment in the sector,”he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)