Government should consolidate efforts at curbing smuggling activities by conducting raids on warehouses and main markets at Kano, Onitsha and Lagos and destroy seized goods, suggested National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN).
Federal Government must take diplomatic measures with Niger and Benin Republics which presently function as conduits for illegal textiles entry into the country.
Smuggling activities have made mockery of the government efforts at reviving the textile sector and brought to the brink nation's economy, the premier union stated in the local media .
Meanwhile, Government has sought support from all sectors like banks, investors, employees, employers and above all, budgeted funds to conduct anti-smuggling operations.
Besides seeking incentive for Nigerian Custom Service employees who actively persue seizure of illegal textile imports, NUTGTWN has called for ban of all textiles imports to last for at least 10 years backed by an Act of Parliament that not only help local industry survive but thrive as it did not long ago.
Country should make most of the previliges accorded under the African Growth and Opportunity Act according duty free access for textile and clothing exports to the US, NUTGTWN sources opined.
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