Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Aba
The Peoples Democratic Party has frowned at the contract tussle between the Abia State government and Innosson Vehicle Manufacturing over the alleged non-supply of vehicles purportedly paid for by the state government.
Elder Abraham Amah, Abia PDP Vice Chairman/Acting State Publicity Secretary said that the spat between the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa and IVM is not only needless but reveals a lack of due process and transparency in the conduct of government business in Abia nowadays.
A viral video of the Abia Speaker granting an interview to journalists showed where he said that the government made payments for the vehicles to IVM who has failed to supply vehicles the state paid for.
The Abia House of Assembly further threatened to terminate its contract with IVM for allegedly reneging on an agreement to produce vehicles for all the lawmakers.
Emeruwa said it is disturbing that members were yet to have their vehicles one year after their inauguration which he said the state has paid for because of the quest by the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to promote local content.
Responding, Cornel Osigwe, Head, Corporate Communications Innoson Vehicles said that IVM has not received any payment for the vehicles ordered for the Abia State House of Assembly Members.
He said that the vehicles ordered by the Governor for the Members of the Abia State House of Assembly were special vehicles that required the production of a new frame, which was not previously produced at the IVM 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. During this process, the Governor suggested some remodifications, which we promptly implemented to meet his specified requirements.
“As of today, we would like to inform the public that we have completed all modifications and have addressed any initial defects. The new model vehicles are currently undergoing rigorous testing at our quality control section. We are 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,” Osigwe said
He said that when Gov Otti requested payment, IVM made a conscious decision not to accept any payment until the vehicles were finally produced and delivered, adding therefore, that the House of Assembly’s claim that payment has been made is inaccurate.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the Government of Abia State for their continued support and patronage. We want to reassure them that we have taken significant measures to prevent future delays and uphold our commitment to delivering high-quality vehicles.
“Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Ltd remains dedicated to providing excellent products and services to our esteemed customers. We appreciate your understanding and patience in this matter.”
Reacting, Amah said that the revelation made by IVM that it has not received any payment from the Abia State government concerning the vehicles Emeruwa was talking about shows a total and embarrassing disconnect between the roles and actions of the operators of the Abia government.
The Abia PDP said it is concerned that this situation assaults the concept of separation of powers and debases democracy.
“In the first place, it is an infringement on the independence of the legislature that the governor should be the one to award contracts for the purchase of vehicles for legislators.
“As a separate arm of government, the Assembly should be the one to award the contract for its vehicles, its budget should be on the first line charge to enable it to maintain its independence.
“This unconventional situation brings the legislators under the influence of the governor and it is difficult to see how they can maintain their independence if they have to depend on him for their welfare.”
Amah said that what is even more shocking is that the Speaker had relied on oral evidence from the governor who told him that he had made payments for the vehicles and unfortunately, the company, not the Abia PDP, refuted the governor’s claims.
“That shows that the award did not pass through the due procurement process. What is more unfortunate is that the governor’s penchant for giving out wrong information to the public is also on full display within the highest echelon of the operators of this government.
“If the governor cannot give the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, who is the number three person in the government hierarchy, the correct information in a financial matter as little as the purchase of vehicles, we cannot imagine how the governor would give ordinary Abians correct information on other matters. And every Abian is a witness to the constant misinformation the governor wilfully dishes out all the time.”
Amah called on Governor Otti to restore the independence of the legislature, become transparent to his fellow operatives in government and Abia people and ensure that due process and accountability are followed in the conduct of government business.
