The Minister of Labour, Dr. Hassan Lawal, says the Federal Government has embarked on measures to resuscitate textile industries. He made the announcement on Tuesday in Jos at the 19th Annual Education Conference of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers (NUTGTWN).

Lawal said in May, the Federal Government, in conjunction with some banks, raised N70 billion to fund the resuscitation of textile industries. He noted that some textile industries in Kano, Lagos, Aba, and Onitsha had already benefited from the fund, made available to them at concessionary interest rates.
The minister said the reform agenda of the present administration was aimed at improving socio-economic infrastructure in the country. He said the agricultural sector, which was central to the development of textile industry, was government's priority area.

“The wealth creation agenda of the present administration is focusing on non-oil exports, especially, agricultural products, which assist in the revitalisation of textile industries,'' he added.
Lawal urged textile workers to be productivity-conscious, "since the progress of their companies will determine their ability to retain their services.''

Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau said his government supported any initiatives aimed at promoting the growth of textile and tailoring industries. "The state government has shown commitment by encouraging the people, especially, women to venture into tie and die production and tailoring services. "The aim is to develop skills and reduce poverty among the people," he said.

Jang, who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs Pauline Tallen, said government would support the inclusion of textile and tailoring studies in the curriculum of schools. He said this would go a long way in enhancing professionalism in the industry. The President of NUTGTWN, Mr. Reginald Agulanna, advised Jang to resuscitate all ailing industries in the state so as to create jobs. He noted that the performance of textile industries had declined in spite of the initiatives for their revival by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Agulanna observed that the main problems facing the industry were policy inconsistencies trade liberalisation, interest rates and high cost of production. The theme of the conference, which ends on Thursday, is: “Labour and Industry in a Transition Period.''