A signed partnership between Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Co. Ltd.(IVM) and Shell Nigeria Gas Ltd., was recently announced by the Head, Corporate Communications, Innoson Group, Mr Cornel Osigwe. This will see the local manufacture supply indigenously manufactured vehicles to Shell.

The event took place on the 30th of October with the signing of a Contract Purchase Agreement by Dr Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman and CEO, Innoson Vehicles and ED Ubong, the Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas Ltd for the supply of IVM vehicles to Shell Nigeria for official and operational use.

This development is very significant for Innoson Motors as it will go a long way in promoting confidence in Nigerian made products.

In January 2017, the Nigerian Army, also, entered a partnership deal with IVM for modification of some of its equipment, local production of armoured fighting vehicles and other military hardware. This came as a result of the efficiency of the 3 customised military vehicles IVM had earlier donated to the army in November 2016 to combat insurgency in North-East Nigeria. 

The deal saw the Nigerian Army’s acquisition of over 70 more IVM’s military vehicles, which were deployed in the North East for “Operation LAFIYA DOLE.”

The Cheif of Army Staff, at the time, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai had commended the product delivery of Innoson Vehicles making reference to the 3 donated vehicles as found to be “durable” and to have performed “very well as they were employed in combat and proved to be useful, comfortable and convenient in military operations.” 

Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd. is a Nigerian automobile and bus manufacturing company founded by Dr Innocent Chukwuma. IVM is the first wholly indigenous and leading vehicle manufacturing company in Nigeria that manufactures vehicles that meets the requirements of the International and Standard Organization of Nigeria.

The company runs its plant in Nnewi, Anambra State, with 70 percent of the car parts produced locally, while the rest are sourced from Japan, China, and Germany. Innoson vehicles are currently being used in some West African countries like Mali, Sierra Leone and Ghana.

By Ishioma Eni.