Vice president of MAN, Walid Jibrin, made the call while addressing a group of senators when on inspection of some
textile factories in Kaduna State.Jibrin said the call for a state of emergency was informed by the urgent need to resuscitate the industry and save it from total collapse.
He noted that more than 175 textile companies had closed down due to poor power supply, high cost of fuel, poor water supply and massive smuggling of counterfeit products into the country from Asia.Â
Jibrin said the closure of the textile companies had forced more than 250,000 workers out of jobs and denied the country of more than $1.3 billion in annual foreign exchange.
“This represents a total annual loss of foreign exchange and revenue of more than N80 billion by way of tax evasion of up to 50 percent and five per cent VAT,†he stated.
He observed that currently, only 25 of the total number of the textile factories were working, with only 24,000 workers.
“It is sad to note that from 2002 to date, the number of textile mills have reduced from 50 to 25, while employment has reduced from 60,000 to 24,000,†he said.
“The surviving ones are forced to operate below 30 percent capacity, while counterfeit goods flood our markets.
Jibrin, however, appealed for an urgent legislation by the Senate on counterfeiting and faking of trade marks by foreign industries, and therefore, called for the intervention of the Senate to enable government come up with a policy on the textile industry.
He also called for the intervention of the National Assembly regarding the N70 billion textile loan, saying the Federal Government was yet to sign the guarantee agreement that would enable the industry access loan from UBA, through NEXIM Bank.
Jibrin called for the re-enforcement of the Nigeria Customs to include the Army, EFCC, ICPC, SON, MAN and the Nigeria Police, to fight counterfeiting and smuggling.