The Senate has asked the Federal government to urgently ban importation of foreign textile materials into Nigeria as part of moves to encourage local production of cotton across the country.
The Senate, therefore, called on the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Trade and Investment to ensure the revival of textile industries in Nigeria, saying it will further create job opportunities for the unemployed population thereby addressing youth restiveness and attendant deviant behavours.
The Upper chamber also urged the Federal government to provide additional funds to the Bank of Industry (BOI) to be dedicated to textile industries in order to revive the textile sector.
It also asked the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, encourage the farming of cotton arguing that “no cotton, no textile industries”.
Resolutions of the Senate on Tuesday were sequel to a motion titled; “Urgent Need to revive the Textile Industries in Nigeria with particular reference to the Kaduna-Kano axis.”
It was sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshall, Katung, APC, Kaduna South and co- sponsored by Senators Adams Oshiomole (APC, Edo North); Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North); Senator Mustapha Khalid (Kaduna North); Senator Mustapha Khabeeb (APC, Jigawa South West); and Senator Natasha Akpoti- Udughan.
Others are Senator Kawu Abdurrahman Suleiman (APC, Kano South); Senator Simon Lalong, Simon Bako (Plateau South); Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Sokoto South; Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC, Jigawa North-West); and Senator Dandutse Mohammed (APC, Katsina South).