Thousands of local dyers on Tuesday took to the streets in Kano to protest against the domination and invasion of Chinese nationals in the tie and dye industry in the state.
The protesters who staged a peaceful march to the palace of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sunusi II, urged him to intervene in correcting the anomalies.
The demonstrators who carried placards with inscriptions “Chinese are exploiters.” “Chinese are killing local entrepreneurs” “Protect us against Chinese invasion” marched through major streets in the commercial city.
Kano has over 32,000 local dyers that depend heavily on partnership of the Chinese expert.
Chairman, Local Dyers Association Bashir Aliyu Dawakin Kudu while addressing the monarch said that “Chinese activities have compromised the potentials of local dyers in the industry.
Dawakin Kudu said: “We source chemicals from Chinese business men, but they have transformed from chief suppliers of chemicals to full time involvement in the dye industry.”
He revealed that Chinese activities had rendered over 32,000 members jobless as they had virtually taken over the industry.
Penultimate week, four Chinese were detained in Kano for smuggling textile materials worth several billions of naira.
Responding, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II cautioned the protesters to be civil in their protest and distance themselves from any action that will trigger Xenophobic attacks in Nigeria.
The Emir blamed the federal government for not implementing the National Enterprises Promotion Act which specifies the types of businesses foreigners can do her in Nigeria.
The former Central Bank Governor however assured: “I’m optimistic the incoming administration would do its best to address the problems confronting local entrepreneurs”.
