Innocent Chukwuma, the chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, has criticized the media attacks on Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, for his recent acquisition of 20 vans with the Toyota name for the state’s security services.
When visiting the governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, on Friday in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Chukwuma made this statement and referred to Otti as the brand’s top promoter.
“He’s the number one marketer of Innoson. Most of the vehicles bought by the government in this state, Abia, are Innoson vehicles and they are happy with the vehicles.”
Otti was appreciated for his continuing patronage and assistance.
In response to the current uproar that Otti chose Toyota over Innoson Motors, Chukwuma defended the governor by claiming that Otti had placed an order for 20 security pick-up vans from his business, which the government desperately needed but which were not available at the time because Innoson had run out of stock.
He pointed out that the governor’s decision to choose another brand may have been influenced by his company’s inability to produce the 20 vehicles in time, which Chukwuma said shouldn’t bring Otti any blame.
The founder of Nigeria’s indigenous vehicle manufacturing company revealed that IVM is currently in talks with representatives of the Abia State government to establish a servicing and vehicle repair facility in the State. He also used the visit to announce his company’s plans to establish a compressed natural gas, or GNG, plant in Abia for use by diesel and gasoline vehicles.
Upon meeting the business tycoon, Governor Otti pledged to continue supporting the Nigerian automaker and revealed that his administration had already bought no less than 40 cars from Innoson.
He further stated that plans were being made to acquire additional vehicles, including 24 automobiles for the Abia State House of Assembly members.
When the Governor informed the Innoson Chairman that his own official vehicle was still outstanding from his business, the automaker swiftly assured him that it would be delivered by the following week.
He told IVM that the Abia State government was ready to collaborate with the company and that the efforts will help the State’s economy thrive while also giving youth in Abia access to employment opportunities.
According to Platinum Times, Governor Otti’s purchase of Toyota automobiles for security agencies during the debut of Abia’s unified security organization, Operation Crush, has drawn a torrent of criticism from opposition members over the last four days.
While using Nigerian companies to promote for his election as governor, the governor was criticized by the opposition, including some PDP chieftains, for rejecting Innoson in favor of another brand.