Reps Seeks Patronage For Innoson Motors

In a deft move to encourage local manufacture of automobiles, the House of  Representatives has passed a motion mandating ministries, agencies and government departments to procure their official vehicles and allied accessories from Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Limited based in Anambra State.

Similarly, the House has directed the Bank of Industry and National Automotive Council (NOC), to evolve product lines to extend long term credits to indigenous auto manufacturing companies.

President Goodluck Jonathan, had on October 15, 2010, formally commissioned the company’s plant at Nnewi, where he pledged government support and patronage for the firm which is into the manufacture of 17 and 43-seater buses, double cabin pick-up vans, among others.

The directive was sequel to a motion by Hon C.I.D. Maduabum entitled: “The need to Support Indigenous Vehicle Manufacturers and Made- In-Nigeria Goods”, in which he gives  both financial and moral support for Innoson, a wholly indigenous vehicle manufacturing outfit.

Other resolutions of the federal lawmakers include a directive to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to revoke the contract for importation of plastic dust bins for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT and instead patronise Nigerian manufacturers who produce plastics  of the same quality.

Maduabum had while canvassing support for the motion, lamented that over 100 local industries  have collapsed in three years owing to low patronage, dwindling standard of living and economic stagnation.

Arguing that the federal government Gazette No 28 of 1993 directed all tiers of governments and their agencies to first patronise products manufactured in Nigeria in their purchases before making arrangements for procurement of any shortfall from other sources, the federal law makers declared that there is need to enforce the regulation with vigour to save local industries  from collapse declaring that the firm   currently employs about 1,600 Nigerians and capacity to accommodate over 3,200 workers if its products are patronised. Maduabum said a visit by both the Senate and House Committees on Industry revealed the huge prospects in the company if given adequate support by government.