NAN returns new Innoson bus, says it’s faulty

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has demanded the immediate replacement of a new bus supplied to the agency by Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited.
The demand was made in a letter the agency despatched to Innoson even as it expressed regrets over the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria vehicles.

The letter dated 16 January and signed by the agency’s Principal Legal Officer, Mojirola Eniola, stated in part:

“Following the failure of your organisation to meet our demands for the evacuation and replacement of the faulty 30-seater bus (IVM6751) supplied to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) within seven (7) days of the receipt of our letter dated January 6, 2023, we have been left with no choice but to return the vehicle to your premises.”

NAN reports that this is the second time the agency would be rejecting the company’s vehicles due to either non-compliance with specifications or mechanical fault.

In line with the Buhari administration’s admonition to patronise local industries, the agency had some time in 2021 approached the motor vehicle plant to supply it with a 30-seater bus for its workers.

The agency had paid Innoson the sum of N49.5 million, including taxes, for the purchase of the bus on 17 November 2021.

Trouble, however, started when the company on 16 November 2021, delivered a 30-seater bus that was not in line with the specifications it reached with the Agency.

The agency promptly rejected the bus and directed its solicitors to demand a replacement in line with the agreed specifications.

In its 1 February 2022 letter to Innoson through its solicitors, the agency demanded a replacement within 14 days or face legal action.

Responding to the threat, Innoson in a letter dated 14 February 2022, apologised to NAN for the inconvenience it had caused the Agency.

“We want to use this medium to apologise to your client (NAN) for any inconvenience that they may have experienced due to their complaint,” the letter signed by a director, Jonas Ojukwu, said.

Mr Ojukwu, who in the letter claimed that his company does not sell refurbished vehicles, promised to replace the rejected vehicle. Premium Times