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| Governor Willie Obiano |
Members of Anambra House of Assembly are up in gloves in Governor Willie Obiano over alleged proposed gifts of Prado jeep vehicles to the 30 lawmakers from the government believed to be over N1billion.
The lawmakers accused the Governor of wasting funds, insisting that the state should patronize Innoson motors being manufactured by their own son.
The state government had proposed the gifts to the lawmakers to help them in discharge of their oversight functions in the state.
The proposal was sequel to complaints by some lawmakers over the delay in provision of statutory allowances and other entitlements by the state government.
They contended the purchase of Toyota Prado Jeeps to the tune of almost N1billion was an unnecessary waste of funds when a similar vehicle produced by INNOSON Motors Limited would cost less.
The lawmakers noted that other governors of the South East and South south had been patronising the local car manufacturing company ,adding that Obiano had ignored his own son.
But in swift reaction, Chief Press secretary to Speaker Emma Madu said he was not aware of any car gift to the lawmakers .
However, the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Emeka Ozumba, told the public to discountenance such allegation.
He said thE House of Assembly and the Executive had enjoyed good working relationship, adding that there was no cause for alarm.
Chairman, southeast conference of 2019 APC House of Assembly candidates, Hon. Afam Ezenwafor, told reporters the Governor should drop such idea and patronise the local manufacturer.
According to him: “Obi procured Innoson motors for AVS, schools and local govt councils in the state, it is worthy of emulation.”
“I commend Gov Ugwuanyi of Enugu state who purchased over 100 hilux pickups from Innoson motors for the security agencies in the state.Other southeast governors must do same”
“We can only grow our local economy and encourage think home investment when our leaders patronize local contents, govs of Imo, Abia and Ebonyi are not patronising Innoson motors and that’s sad, that attitude must change”.
