Victor Ezeja
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation has condemned the rejection of Innoson Vehicles by the Federal Government, its organs and state governors even when individuals and governments of different African countries come to patronise the products.
The body said denying the indigenous company the desired patronage is morally reprehensible.
It said much of this on Firday in a statement while commending the Anambra State governor-elect, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for his policy statement of promoting domestic products, particularly opting to use Innoson Vehicle as his official car when he assumes office.
According to the statement issued by the Ohanaeze publicity Secretary, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, the act of rejecting locally manufactured products by Nigerian governments at all levels while preferring foreign companies amounts to self-inflicted imperialism which does no good to the economy.
Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM) is a Nigerian automobile manufacturer based in Nnewi, Anambra State, founded by an Igbo entrepreneur, Chief Innocent Chukwuma.
Ohanaeze also noted that the IVM is patronised by people and government of different African countries such as Ghana, Sierra Leone, Mali, etc.
“In July 2017, the Malian government placed an order for 400 Innoson vehicles and they were duly supplied.
“Also, in August 2020, the Sierra Leone government placed an order to the IVM worth of over $4.7million and were delivered. A lot of other transactions with IVM by African countries are replete,” Ogbonnia stated.
The group stated that It is quite appaling that while African countries are patronising IVM, Nigerian politicians are busy spending billions of dollars importing Japanese and other foreign cars.
It said the aggregate expenditure on foreign cars by all the levels of government in Nigeria is over 200 Billion per annum, arguing that such trend has economic implications in terms of affecting balance of trade when the volume of imports far exceed exports, leading to depreciation in value of the currency.
“The self-induced imperialism and mass poverty by the Nigerian leadership takes various forms: most people in government own buildings in the USA, UK, Germany, France, etc, and their children attend schools in foreign countries; the fuel for cars, gas for bigger machines, including kerosene; health care, etc are sourced from foreign countries.”
“In fact, almost everything which can be sourced within are imported without corresponding effort for meaningful exports. This obnoxious self-inflicted injury has already thrown Nigeria into the poverty capital of the world and fragile states index status; and counting,” The Ohanaeze publicity secretary added.
The called on government at different levels in Nigeria to emulate Soludo’s policy to encourage local production, and commended Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Senator Hope Uzodimma of Enugu and Imo States respectively for purchasing over 100 vans and trucks each for security and other purposes.
Prof. Soludo Soludo had while addressing members of the transition committee he inaugurated recently, stated that when he assumes office, would make conscious efforts to promote domestic products as a way of encouraging local producers. He specifically hinted on using IVM as his official car, and also wearing c lothings made from local textile materials.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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