Garment Factory: Ayade Orders Appointees to Wear Locally Produced Cloths

Bassey Inyang in Calabar

As a means of encouraging local production, and creation of employment opportunities in the country, the Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has directed his commissioners and other appointees in his administration to start wearing finished made-in-Nigeria cloths prpduced at the Calabar Garment Factory.

Ayade stated this yesterday while briefing journalists shortly after he was presented with samples of finished products from the factory.

Ayade, who was presented with samples of finished products from the factory, including uniforms of some paramilitary outfits, said he was determined to boost its patronage, and make the factory economically viable.
Aside from the commissioners, and other aides, Ayade promised that from June 2017; he would also be wearing cloths made from the factory only.

“The garment factory today is a reality and it’s now producing in commercial quantities for export too….

“Henceforth, starting from today, all executive members, all appointees must be in clothes made from Calabar Garment Factory and this is official….
“By the close of next month, anything I put on my body will be made from Cross River Garment Factory. That is my sincere commitment to the state and for the 3,000 young people working in the factory,” Ayade said.

The governor who stated that wearing of cloths made in the factory would also project the culture, and image of the state positively said: “Cross River is a leading state when it comes to lifestyle. So, definitely we are going to be leading in terms of fashion.”

The governor said there were indications that the garment factory was becoming commercially viable as it has started getting patronage from within and outside the state.

“We are expanding into uniform production for school children, and as you are well aware, we have had people from neighbouring states asking us to produce uniforms for them in hundreds of thousands. We are focused on getting the very best in the garment factory and of course, the school uniform.

“In no distant time, Cross River Garment Factory will be the main fashion industry and company to beat. And if you are not dressed by Cross River Garment factory, you’re not dressed at all.”

On the power source for the factory, the governor said: “As you can see, the garment factory is extremely busy and we are working on providing renewable energy to support the factory to run at low costs.

“I’m sincerely proud of what we have done and of course, and in the second phase when we are go back to the cotton farm project, we will definitely be producing with fabrics made from Cross River farm.

“For the cotton farm, we are partnering with Arewa Cotton. So, the farm is in full gear and by next week, we are going on a tour of the cotton farm in Northern part of the state.”

The Calabar Garment Factory recently rolled out its first set of cloths into the open market with the production of finished clothing among the blazers, jeans trousers and shirts.