The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, has accused the Nnewi, Anambra State-based Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company (IVM) of failing to supply vehicles, which Governor Alex Otti ordered, which, he alleged, has been fully paid for.
However, IVM Spokesman/ Head of Corporate Communications, Cornel Osuigwe, has made clarifications on the matter, debunking the full payment allegation.
Emeruwa made the allegation on Thursday, June 13, 2024, in the presence of 17 members of the House, while briefing journalists on activities of the House, the first since the House was inaugurated on June 14, 2023.
During the press briefing, he informed the journalists that members of the 8th Abia Assembly, except the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, were yet to be given official vehicles one year after their inauguration, blaming IVM for the delay.
Decrying the scenario, the Speaker disclosed that the House decided to patronise IVM in line with the policy of the governor to patronise and encourage local/indigenous companies.
Consequently, he issued IVM a 14-day ultimatum to deliver the vehicles or refund the payment, stressing: “This House has been patient enough.”
Reacting to the Speaker’s allegation, Head, IVM Corporate Communications, Cornel Osigwe, in a statement, said that no payment has been made by the state for vehicles for the state Assembly members even when the governor wanted to do so.
According to the IVM spokesman “the vehicles ordered by the governor for members of the state Assembly were special vehicles that required the production of a new frame, which was not previously produced at our factory.
“In accordance with the governor’s initiative to promote local products, we took this project very seriously and produced a sample for approval by the governor, and during this process, the governor suggested some re-modifications, which we promptly implemented to meet his specified requirements.”
Osuigwe said that IVM, as of today, has completed all modifications, and addressed any initial defects, while the new model vehicles are currently undergoing rigorous testing in their Quality Control Section.
He added: “IVM is pleased to announce that the vehicles will be ready by the end of this month and the supply will be completed by the beginning of next month.”
