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By Moses Akaigwe
The Adamawa State Government on Tuesday took the lead in the provision of mass transit vehicles as part of interventions to ameliorate the pains of fuel subsidy removal when it commissioned a fleet of IVM buses powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
Produced by Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM) at its plant in Nnewi, Anambra State, each of the buses has the capacity to carry a total of 100 passengers per trip – 54 sitting with provisions for 46 standing commuters.
Receiving the 10 buses valued at over N1 billion in Yola, the Deputy Governor of Adamawa, Prof Kaletapwa George Farauta, assured that the government would continue to partner Innoson in the interest of the citizens having been satisfied with the performance of the IVM vehicles previously purchased by the state.
The Acting Governor, who represented the state’s chief executive officer, Gov Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, stated that the procurement of the Innoson buses has enhanced the governor’s reputation of a man who delivers on his promises.
Farauta further remarked, “Our prayer is that the Innoson buses will be used to reduce the hardship our people are going through as a result of some of the policies of the Federal Government and the need to help our people have a cushioning effect.
“On behave of Gov. Fintiri, we say that these Innoson buses will be used judiciously and be used for Adamawa State citizens, because Adamawa State is our project.”
Earlier while officially delivering the buses to the acting governor who was accompanied by the Chief of Staff, Prof. Edgar Amos Sunday, and other top government officials, the General Manager Sales & Marketing of Innoson Vehicles, Obum Osigwe, had assured that the buses were manufactured to the highest quality standards in the automotive industry.
The Innoson General Manager commended Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri and the Adamawa State Government for their patronage which, according to him, has been sustained for about three years.
Before presenting the keys to the Deputy Governor, Osigwe remarked, “On behalf of a grateful company {Innoson}, we say thank you to the government and people of Adamawa state. Your patronage and support has been amazing and wonderful. This partnership started in 2020, and it has grown in leaps and bounds.
“The vehicles Innoson has built for you are a state-of-the-art luxurious buses, and not just base buses. If you have been to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, these are the buses they use to convey passengers from the tarmac to the arrival hall.”
He later disclosed to inquisitive guests who made inquiries about purchase of Innoson vehicles, that those who wish to procure the products through financing could do so by contacting Access bank.
According to him, Innoson manufactures passenger cars, pick-up variants, sport utility vehicles {SUVs}, family vehicles, and a wide range of bus models {including mini, shuttle, as well as intra-city and inter-city mass transit buses}.
The bold initiative of the Adamawa State Government to buy made-in-Nigeria Innoson vehicles is being commended by stakeholders in the domestic automotive industry who see the gesture as one that will impact positively on the sector and the economy generally.
They urge ministries, departments and agencies of government, as well as other state governments and local government councils, to emulate Adamawa, by patronising Innoson products and other locally made vehicles.
Procurement of mass transit vehicles running on CNG is part of the interventions of the Federal Government, through the states, and local governments, towards alleviating the hardship resulting fromf the recent withdrawal of subsidy on fuel.
