Anambra Lawmakers’ Preference For Innoson Jeeps

The media was recently awash with the news that members of the Anambra State House of Assembly have reportedly rejected Toyota Prado Jeeps which the state government was said to be planning to distribute to them for effective discharge of their oversight functions, preferring instead, the locally manufactured Innoson Jeeps so as to save cost.

The lawmakers were said to have argued that the purchase of Toyota Prado Jeeps to the tune of almost N1billion was an unnecessary waste of funds when a similar vehicle produced by Innoson Motors Limited, Nnewi, would cost much less.

According to the lawmakers, Anambra State government should toe the line of other governors of the South East and South–South zones that have been patronizing the local car manufacturing company, adding that it was improper for Governor Willie Obiano to be patronizing dealers of foreign vehicles when Innoson Motors was located in his state.

The chairman of South East conference of 2019 APC House of Assembly candidates, an umbrella body of those who contested this year’s general elections on the platform of the party, Mr. Afam Ezenwafor said they had it in good authority that the state government had concluded plans to purchase the Prado Jeeps for the state lawmakers. Ezenwafor said: “The market price for 2018 model of Prado Jeep for the 30 members of the state Assembly is about N33 million each” Innoson IVM SUV Jeeps for the House members will come at a much lower cost.”

 He also urged government officials to use Innoson as their official cars, adding that it would reduce high demands for foreign exchange for the purchase of vehicles. It was gathered that former Governor Peter Obi bought over 500 pieces of Innoson vehicles during his administration for the vigilante services, schools and local government councils in the state thereby helping the company to grow and employ more Nigerians.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State reportedly purchased over 100 Hilux pickups from Innoson Motors for the security agencies in the state.

In 2016, the federal government directed its Ministries, Departments and Agencies to henceforth patronise local auto assembly plants for their vehicle needs as a way to keep the industry running and improve the nation’s economy. It is also projected that the gesture will form the plank for generating thousands of jobs. This indication emerged after President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated 283 locally assembled vehicles purchased by the Federal Road Safety Corps to boost its operations nationwide. The vehicles, which included patrol cars, rescue buses and tow trucks, were supplied by Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited and Nissan Nigeria, a subsidiary of Stallion Autos.

Similarly, in January 2018, the Nigerian Army started taking delivery of vehicles it ordered from Innoson Motor Manufacturing Company which were configured for deployment for Operation Lafiya Dole and other military operations. The Nigerian Army and Innoson Motors, signed agreement and partnership towards the manufacturing of locally made military equipment and vehicles for the army. In line with the partnership, the army acquired 100 variant of utility vehicles from the company to support its operations, especially in the North-east. The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, announced the development when the management of the company, led by its Managing Director, Innocent Chukwuma, visited the army headquarters. Gen Buratai, also said that the army would partner with the company in the modification and production of other military equipment, including armoured fighting vehicles. He spoke after the Nnewi based company donated three vehicles to the Theatre Command of the Operation Lafiya Dole.

In April 2019, the federal government in line with its policy of patronizing Nigerian vehicle manufacturers also procured 77 new operational vehicles for Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure safety and security of the citizens. The vehicles are 74 units of Innoson IVM 4×2 Double Cabin Pick-Ups and three ambulances. ‪Speaking on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Commissioning of the vehicles in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha said the development was aimed at ensuring safety and accelerated economic growth of Nigeria.

The Innoson Company had been of immense help to the war against insurgents in the North East. Three years ago the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced a partnership deal with Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), which saw the company supply spare parts for jets conducting airstrikes against the insurgents. "The ingenious effort by IVM is instrumental to the continued operation of the Alpha Jets," NAF spokesperson Ayodele Famuyiwa told CNN of the deal. "IVM helped to save the day when help was not forthcoming from abroad." The air force reached out to Innoson in 2015, as it faced increasing difficulty with the import of vital parts such as brake pads. The deal was struck after a series of site visits around the country.

The array of government and corporate bodies that have used IVM Company range of vehicles including equipment and spare parts for Nigerian Airforce in North East show that it produces quality vehicles and spare parts. That is why it is saddening that the governor of the state where the factory is domiciled failed to patronize it and rather opted for foreign jeeps at a time when the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is encouraging the patronage of Nigerian made goods and foods cultivated in the country to grow the nation’s economy.

The recent closure of Nigerian borders, which has been hailed by stakeholders, was meant to halt importation of rice and other banned goods to help the local farmers and manufacturers to grow the economy. Nigerians should not be told to buy Nigerian rice while government officials drive foreign jeeps. That is why we propose that all official cars used by government officials should be purchased from Nigerian manufacturers. This will grow the economy and create jobs for our teeming youths and conserve scarce foreign exchange. It is in this spirit that we once again commend Anambra lawmakers for their patriotic zeal to drive Innoson IVM Jeeps instead of PRODA Jeeps preferred by the state governor.

Other public officials should emulate them across Nigeria. This is the spirit lacking in this country for a long time. It is the spirit needed from our leaders to grow our technology and economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.