Chairman of Innoson Group of Companies Nigeria Ltd, Innocent Chukwuma, has said that he is unaware of a report that Anambra lawmakers rejected Toyota Prado SUVs and demanded Innoson vehicles.
Mr Chukwuma said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Nnewi, Anambra State.
“Anybody, including the Anambra lawmakers, is free to buy any brand of vehicle of his or her choice,” he said.
“As we speak, Anambra government ordered for 40 vehicles which it fully paid for and we hope to deliver them to the state by next week.”
Chukwuma said he enjoyed a very warm relationship with Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, saying that he was willing to leverage the relationship to impact positively on the state, Igbere TV reports.
He also named Enugu, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Anambra, Gombe, and Bauchi States and the military as part of those who buy Innoson vehicles.
Chukwuma called for more patronage to enable him transform Nigeria into a vehicle manufacturing hub in Africa.
“I can say that Innoson vehicle manufacturing is doing well, especially with the level of patronage and support the company is enjoying under the present federal government,” he said.
“I must equally say that some state governments like Ekiti, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Kogi, Gombe, Anambra, and Bauchi are giving us a great boost.
“As at today, Innoson vehicles are being used in some West African countries like Mali, Sierra Leone, and Ghana and some Nigerians residing abroad return home to purchase our vehicles.”
Chukwuma said that his vehicle factory had the capacity to manufacture all brands of vehicle, adding that he hoped to expand the company soonest.
He also said that apart from doing well in production capacity, the company recently employed between 7,300 and 7,500 workers to boost production capacity.
