The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to prohibit and criminalize the importation of Adire/Kampala and other fabric imitations produced locally to safeguard the country's cottage industry and preserve foreign exchange reserves. This resolution stemmed from a motion by Rep. Afolabi Afuape (APC-Ogun) during Tuesday's plenary session in Abuja.
Highlighting the need to protect the local fabric industry, the House urged the government to promote domestic production of Adire/Kampala fabric, emphasizing its significance in supporting local industries and conserving foreign exchange. Afuape pointed out that the influx of foreign imitations has had a detrimental impact on the local industry, resulting in reduced livelihoods for local producers and increased unemployment.
In response to the motion, the House tasked its Committee on Commerce to collaborate with the National Directorate of Employment to implement formal training and orientation programs for local fabric producers. These programs would focus on enhancing skills, ensuring quality control, improving marketing strategies, and enhancing business management practices.
Furthermore, the House called for effective monitoring by relevant agencies to assess the periodic progress of Nigeria's cottage industry. Additionally, the Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics, and Values, in partnership with the National Orientation Agency, was mandated to launch a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the cultural significance of Adire/Kampala fabric.
