Uproar In Anambra Over Gov. Obiano’s Penchant For Imported Vehicles

Some sections of people in Anambra state have condemned in strong terms Governor Willie Obiano’s preference to imported foreign vehicles instead of patronizing home products of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) at a time when Nigeria as a nation is advocating for patronage of local products as possible avenue to boost the economy of the country.

Governor Obiano in a bid to take crime fighting to a higher level donated 25 highly equipped patrol vehicles to the Nigeria Police with other security gadgets which includes: Speed Guns to track over-speeding vehicles, Alcohol Detecting kits and other special kits that will aid crime detection and prevention.

Although the donation was greeted with encomium and described as a welcome development, it also attracted criticism as some people lashed at the governor and berated him for dumping IVM products for imported ones.

Baring his mind on the issue, former deputy governor of old Anambra state during the Military era Chief John Udeagbala said that Governor Obiano cannot give enough reason for ignoring the products of IVM at this point in time when Nigeria is championing the cause of local manufacturing as alternative means of economic sustenance and improvement.

Udeagbala who also served as chairman old Anambra and old Idemili local government  respectively, noted that there is need for Nigerians both the high and low to yield to the call for patronage of local products following the dwindling fortune of oil adding that Obiano’s preference to foreign products is a bad omen and unacceptable.

He continued, “I am surprised to hear that the cars donated to the police by Governor Obiano were imported from abroad, instead of buying them from Innoson at Nnewi. To me the decision is not fair most especially this time when we need to promote our local indigenous products because the economy of the country is going down, it is in the best interest of the country for the governors to patronize and encourage local products”

Also speaking a prominent businessman and manufacturer in Onithsha who did not want his name in print said that Obiano has made a mistake that needs immediate correction noting that even president Mohamed Buhari won’t be happy hearing that people are not patronizing local products in their home state.

On the impression that the cars donated to the police were specially made, the businessman said that as a manufacturer he is aware that customers can make a special request for a particular  products adding that on  a special request Innoson can equally manufacture such cars having come a long way in the business.