28th June, 2015
A group, Ndigbo Cultural Society of Nigeria (NCSN), on Sunday commended the Federal Government for the decision to lift ban on the importation of textile and furniture products.
The group made the commendation in a statement signed by its President, Chief Udoka Udeogaranya in Lagos.
The Federal Government, through the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, announced the lifting of the embargo on June 22.
Dikko, who spoke at the official launch of the implementation of Economic Community of West Africa States, (ECOWAS), Common External Tariff, (CET), said that Nigerians could now import textile materials subject to payment of right duty.
The statement said that the decision clearly showed that Nigeria could no longer play local politics with issues bordering on the economy.
“With Nigeria’s dwindling oil fortune, state governments of the federation are unable to pay salaries and federal government in dire need of funds for capital projects.
“This sound economic decision clearly underscores that Nigeria can no longer play local politics with issues bordering on the economy,” it said
The group called on those asking for a reversal of the policy to put the nation first.
“Unionists crying foul over this sound policy should try to accept reality and put the nation first before their interest.
“They should understand that for a thriving manufacturing sector to exist, the country will have to provide the necessary infrastructure.
“We will need a constant electricity supply, good transportation networks, solid financing and near perfect security system,” it said.
The group said that it was not in doubt that the informal sector of the country was responsible for well over 98 per cent of economic activities of Nigeria.
The group, therefore, advised President Muhammadu Buhari to continue to make policies that would be of good to the people.