ONITSHA (ANAMBRA) – The Onitsha Chamber of Commerce has called for partnership between the Bank of Industry (BoI) and South-East Governors’ Forum to revive redundant and ailing textile industries in the zone.
The Chamber’s President, Dr Tim Anosike told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha, Anambra on Thursday while speaking on the alarming rate of youth unemployment within the zone.
Anosike noted that the number of ailing textile industries in the zone, if revived could go a long way in checking the worrisome youth unemployment.
“I am deeply concerned about thousands of energetic youths roaming the streets and neighborhoods in the zone aimlessly.
“We have said it a number of times that reviving the textile industries in the zone will create thousands of job at the same time.
“It is high time the governors in the South-East started meeting with the Bank of Industry (BoI) as well as local and foreign investors over reviving these textile industries, since a single company can employ not less than 1,000 persons at a time,’’ he said.
Anosike also urged the Federal Government to launch a programme to massively grow cotton plants, so that the raw materials for these industries could be accessed locally.
“The same cotton trees that can be used to our environmental advantage to reclaim drought affected areas, can also generate raw materials to sustain these industries.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
“It is clear that production of textiles would not only create jobs and promote economic empowerment but will be of great environmental benefit to the country and the future generations,’’ he added. (NAN)
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