Textiles union boss urges review of trade pact

National Union of Textile, Tailoring, and Garment Workers General Secretary, Comrade Issa Aremu, has called on the Federal Government to tighten its trade policies and agreements to protect indigenous companies from excessive imports.

Aremu said: “We should review the agreements in the light of the effort to rebuild the nation’s economy.

“We are not opposing trade but you must be a trading country first to enter into an agreement with the World Trade Organisation. What are we trading for? Nothing.”

He said further: “We are not even producing for the domestic market not to talk of exporting. We should not be eager to sign trade deals that are inimical to economic development.

“This is because some of these agreements are injurious to workers. Let us put Nigeria first and get our priorities right.’’

Aremu advised the government to ensure that the country became first a productive economy that produces for its domestic market.

The Trade Adviser to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Chief Trade Negotiator for Nigeria, Ambassador Chiedu Osakwe, said the government would soon commence the review of the trade policy.

Osakwe said the review would promote the government’s diversification policy.

The review, if adopted, would be the first since it was formulated in 2002.