House of Representatives, on Tuesday, urged the Federal government to promote the local Adire/Kampala fabrics production industry in the country, ban and criminalise the importation of Adire/Kampala and other locally produced fabrics imitations in other to protect the general local cottage industry and conserve the scarce foreign exchange in the country
This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored at the plenary session by Rep. Afolabi Moruf Afuape (APC-OGUN) titled “Call to Revive and Promote the Traditional Fabric Industries of Adire/Kampala to Boost the
Nation’s Cultural Heritage”.
While moving the motion, the lawmaker said, “The House: Notes the historical significance of Adire/Kampala (Tie and Dye) fabrics in Nigeria and the need to protect and promote local production to preserve the nation’s cultural heritage”.
Accept to him, “The Adire/Kampala fabric industry in Nigeria is crucial for economic growth, cultural
preservation, and fostering entrepreneurship among citizens, particularly youths.
“Observes that the influx of foreign imitations of Adire/Kampala, tie and dye into Nigeria’s market has
negatively impacted the local industry, leading to a decline in the livelihood of local producers and job losses
“Worried at the absence of formal training, skills, production mechanisms, and equipment in the
Adire/Kampala fabric industry, which is crucial in a competitive market.
“Cognizant of the need to protect consumers from imitations of Adire/Kampala products from foreign
markets, as failure to do so could lead to dire consequences for the Nigerian local cottage industry, local producers, and foreign”.
He prayed the House to mandate the Committee on Commerce to: collaborate with the National Directorate of Employment to establish formal training and orientation programs on skills, quality control, marketing, and business management for all local fabric producers and to monitor the relevant agencies charged with evaluating the periodic progress of the Nigerian cottage industry.
When the motion was put into voice vote by the Speaker Hon Tajudeen Abbas who presided over the Plenary session it was unanimously supported by the members.
The House mandated the Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics, and Values in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency to launch a nationwide campaign to promote the cultural significance of Adire/Kampala and other locally produced fabrics and to patronise locally produced fabrics.
