Federal Government has begun the inspection of textile manufacturing companies in the country with a view to bringing the struggling industry back to glory days.
In line with this, Aisha Abubakar, minister of state for industry, trade and investment, toured three textile mills: Spintex Mills Nigeria Limited, Lucky Fibres plc, and Nichemtex plc, all in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Monday.
The minister seized the opportunity to learn the true state of the industry and unveil some of the plans mapped out to resolve the sub-sector’s challenges.
Meanwhile, textile makers have hailed the Bank of Industry (BoI) for supporting the sub-sector through the Cotton, Garment and Textile Fund set aside for the sub-sector.
“We really want to bring back the glory of the textile industry. We want the sector to become above average. This is why we want all stakeholders to place the right information on the table so that we can move the sub-sector forward,” said Abubakar, while speaking with the management of Spintex Mills.
She said the government did not want a piecemeal measure this time, but needed a holistic approach to the challenges of the industry, advising the textile firms to come up with designs that would appeal to the younger generation.
The minister found out that local textile products were cheaper than imported materials and charged players in the industry to use the social media and other avenues to bring their products to the Nigerian consumers.
“Different ministries are sitting together to proffer a solution to the foreign exchange issues. I would like you to come up a lot of products so as to make use of your machines. If you see anyone in your industry who is not doing the right thing, bring it to our notice,” the minister urged.
Kemi Ajibade, head of human resources at Lucky Fibres, said the company had the sophisticated manufacturing facilities, but added that the influx of substandard products had dealt a big blow on the textile firm.
Ajibade said the company sourced some inputs locally but it was difficult to import the rest of the raw materials owing to foreign exchange crisis.
She said the situation in the power sector had spiked the firm’s production costs, stressing that the company could contribute more to the economy if given the required support.
She called on the government ministries to patronise quality carpets and rugs produced by the company, lamenting that the price of gas in Nigeria was over seven dollars despite that the international price of the product was just two dollars per litre.
“We commend the Bank of Industry because the bank has been the pillar of support. It has helped to bring us thus far and we would like you to join us in commending them,” she told the minister. .
“Our capacity utilisation is only 20 percent, yet we employ 2500 staff members. What happens when we have 100 percent utilisation? We believe we can engage the youth but we need support,” she said.
Ping-Man Chun, CEO, Nichemtex, commended the BoI for its support to the sub-sector even in times of challenges, while calling for patronage of local textiles and reduction in smuggling to push the industry.
Minister Abubakar took time to commend the BoI for its consistent support to the sub-sector, assuring industry players that the bank would always be there for them.
