Speaker Laments Over Collapse Of Textile Industries In N/West

The Speaker of the
House of Representatives, Dr. Abass Tajudeen has lamented the loss of over five hundred thousand jobs in Kano and Kaduna states due to the collapse of textile industries.

Speaking at the inauguration of the House Committee on North West Development Commission, NWDC, in Abuja, Dr Abass attributed the collapse to policy inertia, rising insecurity, environmental degradation, and systemic neglect of the North.

The Speaker, while emphasising on the need for urgent and coordinated action to address the challenges of insecurity, poverty, and infrastructural decay ravaging the region charged the committee to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and develop a 10-year strategic plan.

According to Abass, the plan must be backed by innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships and development bonds, to ensure sustainability.

He also urged the Commission to adopt a multi-stakeholder approach, engaging state governments, traditional institutions, civil society, and the private sector.

The Speaker commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to regional development, citing the establishment of a Ministry of Regional Development and the signing of regional development bills.

Earlier in a remark, the chairman of the committee, Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi said the inauguration marks a significant moment on the noble task of transforming the North West geopolitical.

“This first interaction between the House leadership and the Members of the Committee provides us an opportunity to strengthen our collaborative efforts, ensuring excellence in the commission’s operations and encouraging maximum cooperation necessary for achieving impactful results,” he said.

He listed the mandates of the committee to include addressing all matters related to the NWDC; coordinating and monitoring the activities of development partners to ensure effective transformation of the zone; engaging with agencies, departments, multilateral organizations, and NGOs to facilitate rehabilitation, reconstruction, recovery, resettlement, and development in the North West.

Others are collaborating with private sector initiatives to promote regional development; harmonizing government initiatives aimed at rehabilitation and sustainable growth, and reviewing and approving annual budget estimates, among others.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji