By Our Correspondent
The controversy surrounding the partial demolition of Innoson Motors’ showroom in Nnewi, Anambra State, has taken a new turn.
The Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, has raised safety concerns about Innoson Vehicles.
According to Mefor, Governor Charles Soludo’s administration has been a champion of indigenous enterprises, exemplified by the governor’s decision to make Innoson Vehicle Motor (IVM) his official fleet.
However, Mefor pointed out that this decision was made despite major deficiencies and risks associated with the vehicles.
Mefor said, “The Soludo administration has continued to champion the cause of indigenous enterprises in words and action, exemplified in Governor Soludo’s decision to make Innoson Vehicle Motor (IVM) his official fleet.
“It is on record that he is the first and still the only state governor to do so till today despite major deficiencies and risks associated with the vehicles.”
The demolition of the Innoson showroom was reportedly carried out due to encroachment on the federal government’s right-of-way along the Nnewi-Ozubulu-Onitsha federal highway.
The government claimed that the structure was marked for removal in November 2024, after a stakeholders’ consultative meeting and public announcements.
The government maintained that the demolition was carried out in accordance with the Federal Highway Act of 1971, which defines the right-of-way as 45.72 meters from the centre line of any federal highway.
The government said “We sympathise with all affected businesses and properties along the statutory right-of-way, but a government that has acted within the confines of the law, empathy, and compassion cannot be blackmailed by any individual or group to derail the ongoing development of the state for selfish reasons.”
The government also clarified that the demolition was not targeted at Innoson Motors, as properties belonging to other prominent individuals, churches, and hundreds of others were also demolished in the ongoing effort to rebuild Anambra.
“Making Anambra livable and prosperous requires a state governed by law and order for everyone and not one where exceptions are made for the powerful,” the government said.
Further details from Mefor’s statement read, “The said Innoson property was listed in the registration as belonging to one Mrs. Eucharia Alaru and was marked as ASML/AOA/NW/L/066 for removal.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is essential to state that the Federal Government’s ‘right-of-way’ is clearly defined by the subsisting Federal Highway Act of 1971 as the ground within 45.72 metres from the centre line of any federal highway in the nation.
“This rule is a prime safety measure to secure and preserve human lives and ensure easy and unfettered vehicular movement.
“All of this was made manifestly clear to the stakeholders at the meeting on November 1, 2024, and further communicated in the public notice signed by the Commissioner for Works subsequently.
“The demolition of the said Innoson building occurred more than four (4) months after notices had been issued to all concerned, including through the Nnewi town union President General.
“It is, therefore, pertinent to correct the deliberate misinformation peddled by paid content creators to discredit the good works of the state government.
“Their narrative is false, untrue, and at best, mischievous and a political machination of a few to score cheap, albeit selfish points.
“Those paid to spread falsehood, deliberately refused to also report that properties belonging to the first National leader of APGA, Dim Ojukwu, as well as his wife and current minister, Iyom Bianca Ojukwu, churches, and hundreds of others, were also demolished in the ongoing effort to rebuild Anambra.
“Governor Soludo is driven by empathy for the people and will continue to ensure that nothing short of the public good in overriding public interest is done for the sake of posterity.”
