Textile manufacturers decry non-implementation of FG’s order

THE Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA), has decried the non-implementation of the Federal Government’s Executive Order on the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria goods.

The Director-General of NTMA, Mr Hamma Kwajaffa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos that in spite of government’s intention to revive the textile sector, the reality on the ground remains worrisome.

He said that Ministries, Departments and Agencies, were yet to heed government order to patronise locally made products, towards enhancing the growth of the manufacturing sector and the nation’s economy.

NAN recalls that the Federal Government on May 25, 2017, signed the Executive Order in Support for Local Content in Public Procurement by the Government.

It said that the Order would boost local production, improve the business environment, promote entrepreneurship and give the country a positive trade balance.

Kwajaffa said that based on the Order, many textile manufacturers stocked up their inventory in expectation of a sales boom but were yet to get patronage from the various ministries.

“We expected the purchase from the Ministry of Defence, the Police, Immigration, Prisons and others, but they have not contacted us.

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“Our people geared up for mass production, our stores are filled, we expected a boom but nobody is buying the fabrics and other requirements,” the director-general said.

He urged the government to expedite the passage of 2018 Budget, adding that officials from some of the ministries attributed to lack of patronage of textiles to the paucity of fund.

Kwajaffa said that even the 2017 Budget had to be shored up through borrowing.

The director-general noted that the country currently spends over $4 billion annually importing textiles and ready-made clothing, stressing that patronage of local goods would reduce the import bill, create jobs and boost the economy.