Aiming to diversify Nigeria’s economy, create employment and attract investors for its indigenous manufacturing sector, the country’s Federal Government is exploring new avenues. This includes the government’s decision to partner with local textile companies, such as Kaduna Textiles Ltd (KTL) for the production of uniforms for paramilitary personnel.
Minister of Interior Lt-Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau made this announcement in Abuja on Wednesday, when he received the management of the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC). The minister, who was represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Bassey Akpanyung, praised the NNDC over its plans to rejuvenate Nigeria’s textile industry, especially the KTL, and set up ancillary companies to take this mission forward.
According to Dambazau, although the visit was meant to get the ministry’s patronage for production of official uniform of the Services, the proposal would be further fine-tuned for mutual benefits. With this current move, the present administration aims to patronise Made In Nigeria goods.
NNDC Board Chairman Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, who informed the main purpose of the visit to be to seek the ministry’s patronage for production of these uniforms, also said that arrangements are in place to set up a garment factory in Kaduna State under a joint venture by the KTL and Sur International Investment Company Ltd, which is a Turkish company.
The factory would in the future be producing assorted textiles and uniforms for different organizations, Dalhatu said. “We also plan to establish Industrial Farms to absorb by-products and process new products from them,’’ he said.
NNDC operates in northern Nigeria and manages the New Nigerian Newspapers, Unity Bank, Hamdala Hotel Ltd, the Kaduna Textiles Ltd, among others.
