Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Innoson Group of Companies, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, has commended the governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on his efforts in “ensuring a conducive environment and a favourable investment climate for commercial activities to thrive within the state”.
He made the commendation on Friday at the launch of the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing novel city transportation service in the state christened , “IVM Cruise”, held at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.
Chukwuma, who was represented by a Director of the Board of Innoson Groups, Mr. Alfred Nwosu, thanked Ugwuanyi for his presence at the event, saying that it was an attestation to his commitment to business development and youth empowerment.
Speaking on the new transport service, Chukwuma explained that the IVM Cruise service “is a unique technology-driven ride hailing service which offers our pilots a good chance of becoming dignified transporters and owners of brand new Innoson Connect Vehicles after an initial period of three years”.
He described the flag-off as auspicious as it is the realization of the company’s vision to among other things , “contribute to the financial empowerment of our people while transforming the city transportation system of our beloved Enugu”.
Performing the launch, Ugwuanyi said that Innoson ‘s IVM cruise was reminiscent of global brands such as Uber Technologies, inc. and Lyft inc., and will go a long way to improve transportation in the state, create jobs for the teeming youths, reduce poverty and offer opportunity for startups in transportation business, “as the beneficiaries could become owners of the vehicles after initial three years”.
He announced that his administration was prepared to provide training for the drivers engaged in the IVM Cruise service.
The governor directed the Ministry of Transport to recruit more staff for State Traffic Management Authority.
He promised that the state government will ensure a favourable environment, security and enabling physical infrastructure for the transport service to thrive in the state.
Ugwuanyi noted that city transportation has been a major plank of his administration. He pointed out that it recently undertook measures to optimize service delivery in the sector including the employment of Traffic Officers in the State Ministry of Transport for enhanced traffic management in the city and approval for recruitment of additional Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).
Other measures, according to the governor, include the procurement of additional two new vehicle Tow Trucks for managing road obstruction and other rescue operations in the state, purchase of operational Motor Bikes for the Ministry and continuous provision of communication gadgets, uniforms and kits for the operations of the Traffic Officers in the state.
“I proudly reckon that the event of today is a watershed in city transportation in Enugu State and I seize this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma, OFR, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Innoson Group of Companies, to the 21st Century industrial revolution in Nigeria”, Ugwuanyi said.
Commissioner for Transport, Mathias Ekweremadu, appreciated the laudable partnership between an indigenous automobile company and the state government under Ugwuanyi.
He expressed optimism that the partnership will enhance the transport service extant in the state as well as create jobs for the teeming youths “which has been the topmost priority of our governor”.
Dignitaries at the event include the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Augustine Nnamani, Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Malachy Okwueze, and others.
