FG under fire for hiring Turkish firm to produce Police, Military, uniforms

Some stakeholders in the textile and garment industry in Nigeria have faulted the Federal Government’s alleged directive that all police, military and paramilitary uniforms be given to Turkish company in partnership with Defence Industry Complex (DICON) in Kaduna state, northwest Nigeria.

They lamented that such directive was capable of killing the garment and textile industry in Nigeria, hence the need to involve local textile firms.

Last Thursday, a memorandum of understanding to ensure the establishment of a military and paramilitary clothing factory in Kaduna was signed with a Turkish firm, Sur Corporatewear, in Abuja.

Speaking during the signing of the agreement, the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, had said the Turkish firm was expected to develop local brand of textile materials and accessories.

He had added that a total of $13million (N4.68 billion) would be invested by the firm to finance the enterprise and make it viable.

Reacting to the development, the Creative Director of Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, Adenike Ogunlesi, described the development as shocking and capable of keeping the moribund industry in coma.

In a statement they jointly signed, Ogunlesi disclosed that stakeholders had been holding meetings on how to revive the industry, hence the directive came as a shock to her.

She said: “When President Muhammadu Buhari directed that all uniforms shouldn’t be imported any longer, we were all excited. We felt it was high time for the local manufacturers to build capacity.

“We have met with the military and paramilitary bodies, and they have promised to patronise us. We went as far as coming up with a MOU, they made corrections and returned it to us.”

Ogunlesi stressed the need for the government to believe in local companies and give them a chance to grow.

She urged the government to create a level playing ground for all in the industry.