Governor-elect of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, on Tuesday said that the incoming administration of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, will inherit huge debt from the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
He said the incoming government would ask politicians both at the state and federal levels, who had dipped their hands into the nation’s treasury illegally, to refund such money.
The governor-elect, who spoke to executive members of the National Union of Textile Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, who were on a courtesy visit to him in Kaduna, believed such politicians must be ready to refund their ill-gotten wealth after May 29.
He, however, said those (politicians) who had clean hands, had nothing to fear.
According to Mr. El-Rufai, the measure has become imperative following realization that the All Progressive Congress-led government would be in a dire financial strait on assumption of office.
El-Rufai said, “We will politely ask those who stole government money to return the funds.
“This is because people, who are in government now, are there not to work for themselves but the APC government is made up of people who are ready to work for the masses and the betterment of the country.
“We will work with the textile union to ensure that the lives of the average Nigerians get better”.
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory also decried the parlous state of the textile industry in Kaduna State, noting that his administration would revamp the collapsed sector.
He lamented the current employment figure of 1,600 employees in the textile sector, describing the situation as unacceptable, adding that the textile industries in Kaduna used to employ about 33,000 workers.
According to El-Rufai, the APC government will revive the textile industries, saying the sector will generate employment and impact on the lives of the people.
He said, “We have met at a forum of northern governors-elect and we decided to ensure the revival of the textile industries.
“It is a shame that the largest economy in Africa imports textile materials from Senegal and other countries”.
Earlier, President of the union, Oladele Hunsu, recalled El-Rufai’s stint as FCT Minister, describing his tenure as “indelible”, urging him (El-Rufai) to also take steps towards revamping the comatose textile industries.
He argued that illegal importation of textile materials had crippled the activities of the local textile industries.
Hunsu added, “The way you fixed Abuja, we believe you can also fix Kaduna with good roads and industries.
“All nations want to employ their youths, produce goods and services, overcome poverty and underdevelopment.
“To this extent, every nation protects its own industry, whether the industry is in infancy or adult-hood.
“Nigeria cannot be different under the incoming administration which has commendably raised expectations to fight unemployment and grow the economy.
“Adequate security should be provided to protect the property of the companies particularly in the light of criminal vandalism going on in some closed textile companies namely Arewa Textiles and KTL among others”.
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