Mr Chukwuman Innoson, MD/CEO of Innoson Motors and Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano
Anambra state government has refuted reports that its lawmakers have rejected Toyota Prado SUVs in preference to SUVs manufactured by Innoson Motors, a Nigeria based manufacturing company.
According to the reports, the state government had offered to buy each of the legislators a Toyota Prado SUV but the turned down the offer and asked to be given the local brand made by Innoson Motors
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C.Don Adinuba blames the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Anambra State for the spread of the report, he considers a falsehood, stating that it was part of the party’s game plan ahead of the 2012 governorship election in the state.
“Of course, the reports are false and misleading. The legislators did not reject Toyota Prados, nor did they request for Innoson vehicles”, he said, adding that
“It was the House of Assembly members who asked for Prados, to be in line with vehicles used by legislators in every other state of the federation.
“However, when they saw the huge financial implications of purchasing 30 units of the 2019 model of Toyota Prado vehicles for each honourable member, the 30 lawmakers, easily the most patriotic, productive and considerate of any set of legislators in Nigeria, opted for the 2017 model. They are the only legislators elected in the 2019 general vote to have the older model. By so doing, they have saved for the government and people of Anambra State a fortune.
“For purposes of historical accuracy, let it be stated in the public domain that it is the executive arm of the Anambra State Government which has been leading the campaign to make the Innoson SUV its official vehicle. In March, 2018, for example, following the second inauguration of the Obiano administration, an order for a fleet of Innoson SUVs was placed with Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) for Anambra State Executive Council members.
The order, however, could not be met early enough, apparently on account of several orders from even outside the country. The government was consequently constrained to seek another brand. It settled five months later for Ford because a worthy son of Anambra State, Dr Cosmas Maduka of Coscharis Group, holds the Ford franchise in Nigeria.
” As for Innoson Motors, both the management and staff acknowledge that the Anambra State Government is not only its best customer but also its greatest supporter. On Thursday, March 29, 2018, for instance, the state government handed over 40 Innoson pickups to the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security, Anambra Vigilante Group, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Navy and National Security and Civil Defence Corps to enhance their capabilities in making Anambra remain the safest state in Nigeria.
“In November, 2019, the state government will donate 60 Innoson SUVs to the security and intelligence agencies. It is a well acknowledged fact that not only does Gov Obiano patronize Innoson Motors more than any other governor, he has been marketing the vehicles to fellow governors and executives of corporate organizations across the nation.
“Indeed, the Anambra State Government is eminently proud of its relationship with Innoson Vehicle Motor Manufacturing Company. Its founder, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, is a role model. We are proud that he is a major investor in our state. We are prouder of his genius: he pulled himself up by the bootstraps. Despite his modest formal education, he has displayed world class imagination and creativity. He represents the typical Anambra story: a determination to succeed despite all odds.
