Hamma Kwajaffa, Director-General of The Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA) has revealed the association has set a 1.7-billion metre finished fabric production sector target for 2019 to resuscitate the industry and increase its contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product. The association has also set a target to capture a short to long-term local market share of between 35 to 70 per cent in finished fabrics, and 100 per cent off take of locally produced raw cotton.

To achieve these targets, Kwajaffa has advocated the extension of gas pipelines to the North alongwith supply of low pour fuel oil (LPFO) at concessionary price until gas pipelines were extended to the region.

Kwajaffa also urged government to harmonise power tariff for textile mills from DISCOs across the country and consider supply of power to textile manufacturers at globally competitive tariff of eight US cents per kilowatt. The government should also enforce compliance with local sourcing of uniforms and other textile goods in line with Executive Order 3, and extant law should be made punitive to recognise smuggling as a criminal economic offence.