Volatile Environment Grounds Operations of 145 Textile Companies

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar, last week revealed that the country had lost no fewer than 145 textile companies to unfavorable operating environment, between 1980 and 2016, leaving only about 30 textile firms in operation till date.

Abubakar expressed the regret that an industry, which had been the highest employer of labour after the government had suddenly become a shadow of its own, engaging only “very few people.”

She however said the federal government would take the implementation of the policy seriously as it would help to revive the industry.

“Since our coming on board, I have taken time to understand the policies and programmes of the ministry. We have identified the CTG sector as an important sector for revival in view of the very high potential of job creation along its value chain,”she said.

“The Cotton Textile and Garment (CTG) sector which used to be the highest employer of labour next to government, with over 175 mills at its peak in the 1980s is now a shadow of itself with barely 30 companies operating presently. “This is no time for lamentation, we are determined to succeed. The country is looking at us.”

“This meeting is called to review the activities this far and to chart the way forward. I am sure the successful implementation of the CTG policy will indeed bring back the glory of this sector through its multiplier effect.”