……..for establishment, opening of the factory
Biodun Esan, Ilorin
The National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria has commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over the Establishment of Garment Factory in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
A statement jointly signed by Peters Godonu and Ali Baba, National President and General Secretary respectively said: “On behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC) of our union and the generality of our members, we most heartily commend his Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State for the establishment and successful opening of the Multi-million Naira Kwara Garment Factory located in the ancient city of Ilorin, Kwara State.
“As a stakeholder in the cotton, textile and garment industry in Nigeria, the union is excited that the Kwara State Governor has proudly returned Kwara State to the league of textile/garment producing states in Nigeria with the successful establishment of the garment factory.
“We are also excited that the factory reportedly produced the official jerseys and other sporting wears for Kwara State’s contingents to the ongoing National Youths Games, holding in Asaba, Delta State.
“The point cannot be overstated. The future of Nigeria lies in manufacturing, adding value to our abundant raw materials and creation of sustainable jobs.
“The advantages of industrialization include, creation of sustainable mass decent jobs, lessening of dependency on imports, thus saving scarce foreign exchange and enhancing government revenue through company taxes,” the statement said.
The statement described the cotton, textile and garment industry in particular as the key driver of sustainable jobs and development for most national economies of developing nations like Nigeria.
“We have no doubt that the Kwara Garment Factory when in full operation, will help to reduce the country’s import dependence for garment and apparels.
“The factory will also boost the nation’s export and position Nigeria to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) as well as the American Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
“We appeal to governments at all levels, corporate organisations, schools, individuals and all well-meaning Nigerians to patronize the Kwara garment factory and other textile industries in country thereby creating mass decent jobs and helping to alleviate poverty.
“Patronage of locally made textiles and garment would help in the recovery of the Nigeria’s textile and garment industry and attract more investment in the sector,” the statement added.
The union therefore called on the Nigeria Customs Service to intensify the effort to combat smuggling and dumping of sub-standard garments from China and other Asian countries into Nigeria which has crippled local industries.
“If Nigeria must maximise the benefit of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), it must protect her local industries and provide the enabling environment to make local industries competitive.
“We commend the Kwara State Governor for this development initiative and commitment to industrialization of the state.
“We call on our members and the good people of Kwara State to support the factory, nurture it, protect it and above all, continue to support the Governor and his team to do more for the good people of Kwara State in particular and the nation at large,” the union added.
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