Anambra’s Innoson Dilemma: Between Patriotism And Pleasure By Faj

The news coming out of Anambra State of patriotic legislators voting against the buying of “Prado Jeep” for their own use, and rather opting for the locally made Innoson (IVM) SUV may turn out as a figment of the imagination of political opponents of the state governor, Willie Obiano; it is nonetheless, a good thing to contemplate.
Apparently, the state government, and the APGA-dominated House of Assembly have played it cool, not admitting Prado or Innoson was in the offing. This has not stopped the opposition from taking the position of the sympathisers crying more than the bereaved…for indeed, didn’t we agree that the state and government belong to everyone, in this case, all Anambrans?
A review of cost differential makes a sobering look: The 2018 Toyota LandCruiser Prado (every SUV is a Jeep to many Nigerians) costs between N19m and N21m (manual/automatic); but trust Nigerian “money-miss-road” politico to prefer the 2019 TLC version which arrives at a princely N30m. Meanwhile, the Innoson SUV range (called G5 and G6) goes for a humble pile of N6.7m and N7.35m.
It makes good read and common sense that the Obiano administration should follow the example (even if it’s too late to lead by example) of other governors of the South-East who have patronised our only privately owned vehicle manufacturing ensemble, arguably. We understand that Obiano’s predecessor, Peter Obi bought over 500 vehicles from Innoson Manufacturing Co. during his reign in Anambra’s for the use of vigilante services, schools and local government councils. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Enugu State governor, reportedly bought over 100 Innoson pickups for the security agencies in his state. That is apart from agencies of the Federal government outside the region.
Two damning facts stand as Sword of Damocles over Obiano and the legislative leaders whenever they make up their minds on what vehicles to spoil the legislators with: one, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd. is located in their backyard! The relentless industry and bullish reinventing acumen of the Nnewi based auto manufacturer (some say as much as 70% local content) have made the option to patronise home-grown automobile makers to stabilize and expand a no brainer. Two, with a highly positive differential in cost of up to 60%, it is criminal indulgence and excellent example of irresponsibility in the management of public finance to hug the internationally acclaimed Prado…to the detriment of your own nationally beloved and easily affordable product.
“Monkey no fine”, so we say on the streets, “but him Mama like am”… Yet even more damning in this case, this one is no monkey, and is much prettier!