Innoson Motors plans servicing plant for Abia
…says Otti is Number One marketer
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Founder and Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, makers of Innoson motors brand, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, has expressed the desire of his company to build a vehicle servicing plant in Aba.
Chukwuma said the Aba plant would serve as a hub for conversion of petrol and diesel engine vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-user engine, as well as a maintenance centre for the servicing and repairs of the Innoson brand vehicles in Abia.
The decision may be borne out by the high level of patronage by Abia State government under Governor Alex Otti, who, the foremost Nigerian indigenous auto maker described as his company’s foremost customer.
Chief Chukwuma spoke when he paid a business visit to Governor Otti at his Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government, country-home, on Friday, August 11, 2023. He thanked the Governor for being a great promoter of the Innoson brand.
“He’s the number one marketer of Innoson,” Chief Chukwuma said of Dr. Otti. “Most of the vehicles bought by government in this state (Abia) are Innoson vehicles and they are happy with the vehicles.”
He commended Governor Otti for his continued support and patronage, adding that his company was in talks with officials of the Abia State Government to set up a maintenance centre for the servicing and repairs of the vehicles in Abia, adding that he plans to make Abia the hub for conversion of petrol and diesel engine vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG)-user engine.
He debunked the rumours making the rounds in the state that the Governor allegedly refused to patronize Innoson in the purchase of patrol vehicles for the newly launched Operation Crush security initiative, disclosing that Governor Otti had placed order for 20 security pick-up vans from his company.
Chukwuma explained that because the government needed the vehicles urgently, his company was not able to supply them at that time because they had exhausted their stock; hence the government was compelled to procure the vehicles from another source.
Recall that shortly after the lunch of Operation Crush, a new security initiative to combat crime in Abia, on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, the opposition had launched ferocious attacks on the Governor, accusing him of not patronizing Innoson, a fellow Igboman, when other Governors of non-Igbo extraction were making their vehicular purchases from the company.
Receiving Chief Chukwuma and his team, Governor Otti pledged to continue to support Innoson Motors.
According to the Governor, his government has already purchased no fewer than 40 Innoson brand of vehicles, adding that arrangement was ongoing to procure more vehicles, including those for the 24 members of the Abia State House of Assembly.
The Governor reminded the Innoson Chairman that his own (Governor’s) official vehicle was still being awaited, to which the car maker quickly promised to deliver by next week.
He explained that every effort he was making to secure the State and put road infrastructure was aimed at developing the State and creating wealth for her people.
He assured Chief Chukwuma of his government’s continuous partnership with his firm.
