Nigerian Senate has urged the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs in conjunction with other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to develop strategic framework for the promotion of the establishment and development of cottage industries in all the 774 LGAs of Nigeria.
This call was made on Tuesday after the Upper Chamber considered a motion on the need to create more job opportunities for Nigerians, reduce poverty and rural-urban drift.
Sponsor of the motion, Senator Degi-Eremienyo, W. Biobarakuma (APC – Bayelsa East), in his presentation, noted the dearth of cottage industries in rural communities and the critical role it plays in the provision of large employment opportunities.
Biobarakuma said, “the establishment and development of cottage industries will not only help in the reduction of ruxal-urban drift, but also serve as a veritable avenue for the creation of enormous job opportunities for our teeming youths, in line with the Presidential Poverty Reduction Initiative (PPRI) and Mr. President’s special works program which is aimed at cushioning the effects of economic downturn, especially caused by the corona virus pandemic.”
He noted further that “many modern cottage industries serve as a market that seeks out original handcrafted products as Opposed to mass-produced, name branded products and can include anything from clothing items and crafts to decorative home furnishings; develop as feeders for raw materials or support services to the main industrial complexes and will harness multi-sector opportunities for empowerment and poverty alleviation within the economic corridors of the 774 LGAs of the country.”
“As such, under suitable atmosphere, cottage industries can allow local residents to come together to produce crafts for sale in local markets or even for export to larger cities and other countries, thereby boosting our foreign exchange,” the lawmaker said.
“There is no doubt that it is only when government is consciously and strategically involved in the equitable promotion of the establishment and sustainable development of cottage industries that can guarantee impactful fruition of government’s efforts in this regard.
“Indeed there is no gainsaying the fact that cottage industries remain the special purpose vehicle for the lifting
of millions of Nigerians out of poverty,” he added.
Subsequently, the Senate in its resolutions urged the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs in conjunction with other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to develop strategic framework for the promotion of the establishment and development of cottage industries in all the 774 LGAs of Nigeria.
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