Jamaica has announced that it plans to import vehicles from Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing in Nigeria.
This was disclosed on Saturday by the Jamaican High Commissioner to Nigeria, Esmond Reid during a facility tour of IVM plant in Nnewi, Anambra State.
He said, “For us, it is a tremendous opportunity to witness vehicle manufacturing taking place here in Nigeria, which is one of our brothers in the south.
“It is also a chance to be able to discuss commercial opportunities for sourcing vehicles from Nigeria.
“This is my first visit. I will go and consult with my stakeholders back home to look at the timeline and determine the negotiations and engagements and when we will start the business of sourcing the vehicles.”
Reid referred to the IVM factory as “top class”, promising to encourage Jamaican citizens to come and see for themselves.
He added, “I congratulate the management of this company and I’m very grateful to the minister for making this visit possible for me. This can become the start of something great.”
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Responding, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed the need for strict enforcement of the Presidential Executive Order mandating officials to buy and use products made in Nigeria.
He said, “I’m very proud. This plant is world-class compared to some of the vehicle manufacturing companies I have seen in some other countries. Innoson is doing well.
“Left to me, every government official should be obliged to buy and use a Nigerian-manufactured car. There is a Presidential Executive Order that requires government officials to buy Nigeria.
“That order has to be imposed and made mandatory. In France, it is impossible to see a French Government official driving a non-French car, same in Japan, Korea, the UK and the US.
“We have to do the same here. This will encourage and support our citizens and demystify technology.”
Source: Punch