|
Not less than 70 industries in Nigeria ,according to
Nigeria Lagos Congress NLC -affiliated private
sector unions , have collapsed within the last ten
years. Top among the collapsed industries are Dunlop
Lagos , Michelin Port Harcourt, Batta shoes,
Lennard Shoes, Tarneries, majority of Leather
industries in Kano amongst in the country.
''If a poorer Nigeria in the 50s and 60s could
out of nothing ensure industrial development, a
reicher Nigeria should be able to ensure the
expansion , not contraction of industrial
development.Regrettably, big manufacturing companies
like Michelin, Dunlop and othes are relocating to
more conducive environment in neighbouring country
like Ghana'' said Issa Aremu secretary general
NUTGTWN in a statement today by private sector
unions.
The NLC report also added that four major
cement factories have reduced their workers by
nothing less than 25 % in the recent time.In some
cases more have been retrenched. Lafarge cement have
reduced staff from 3000 to 500 while Ashaka cement
came down from 2000 t0 200, also listed among the
industries are PZ, Benue cememt which was only
re-opened recently. Aremu in a statement further
said the''the journey to deindustrialization is not
just limited to the textile sector.The entire
footwear and leather sctor is virtually dead.Even
the print media isfeeding on imported newsprint as
all the local newsprint companies like Oku -Iboku,Jebba
and Iwopin remain under lock and key.''He listed
many other sectors affected and conclude the ''in
fact no sector is spared ;airtransport,shop and
distributive, steel,engineering and automobile.The
industrial decay is just Monumental''
NLC has called for immediate re industrialization of
the economy saying the economy is almost in complete
collapse. The Union Sectary General Isa Aremu during
a press conference in Lagos accused the
federal government of neglecting the Industry,
saying the union will start a road show
on Thursday at all closed industries in Lagos.
He stress that the union is embarking on Re
Industrialization campaign to reverse this trend of
de Industrialization through pressures and advocacy
for friendly business environment, stable
macro economic policy consistency, clear and focused
industrial strategy that will ensure value addition
and job creation through patronage of made in
Nigeria Goods.
|
