The Nigerian government has approved a policy which aims to revive the country’s ailing textile and garment industry.
The policy is a part of the National Industry Revolution Plan (NIRP) which covers the whole textile value chain, beginning from raw cotton to fashion.
According to minister of industry, trade and investment, Olusegun Aganga, since crude oil prices were tumbling down, thereby creating a huge pressure, this was the best time to implement the policy.
Between 1960 and 1990, the Nigerian textile sector was the second largest labour employer after the government, but saw a huge decline in the last three decades, due to various challenges.
These include, obsolete machinery, high cost of funding and energy, smuggling, counterfeiting and many other challenges, which led to the decline.
The minister said the new policy will address all these issues and is one of the most comprehensive plans that the government has put in place.
Under the policy, the government would create new industrial infrastructure, which includes setting up 15 integrated textile and apparel parks in various parts of Nigeria.
The parks would be set up in areas which were close to raw material resources and a market to sell the products.
The policy will also address issues of power supply, availability of raw cotton and also make available markets for finished textile products, the minister said.
Since the last stage of the value-chain, fashion, was an integral part of the policy, the government would work closely with institutes who impart training in fashion designing.
To attract investments in to the sector, the government will also offer incentives to existing players and new investors, who make investments in the next few years. (AR)
