Monarch advises Delta VIOs to conduct themselves professionally.
Vehicle Inspection Officers and other government organisations have been criticised by His Majesty Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom in Delta State.
The king commanded the officers to conduct themselves with greater professionalism “so as not to allow their activities to deter potential investors or threaten the peace in the Kingdom.”
The monarch expressed concern about the activities of VIO officials in the region to a delegation of VIOs led by their provost in Delta State, Mr. Newworld Esenakife, who paid him a courtesy visit in his palace on Thursday. He also noted that these activities were jeopardising the interests of tourists and undermining the efforts of the palace to foster an environment that is conducive to investment in the State.
The monarch emphasised that it was in everyone’s best interest to create an environment that would encourage businesses to succeed and provide employment for the teeming youths, thereby reducing unrest, while also urging the VIOs to make sure they carried out their duties “to meet up with the best international practises.”
He expressed concern over the fact that some of the vehicle inspection officers were assuming the roles of police officers rather than inspecting the roadworthiness of the vehicles.
The Uvwie monarch also mentioned that VIOs lacked shops and tools for their jobs, pointing out that the majority of cars on the roads were unroadworthy and frequently carried with too much cargo.
He emphasised that although vehicle inspection officers must carry out their duties in accordance with the laws establishing them, they must avoid acting in a way that deters investors from the local government area.
The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, and other traditional rulers in the Warri Kingdom, according to the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, have been working hard to attract investors to the State; as a result, the VIOs should stop trying to sabotage socioeconomic development.
Additionally, the monarch recommended that heavy loads be transported via railroads and seaports because, in his opinion, the use of heavy-duty vehicles has significantly contributed to the state’s roads being in poor condition.
In his speech, the head of the VIO delegation, Mr. Newworld Esenakife, thanked the traditional leader for his counsel and pledged to convey it to his superiors.
However, he revealed that the previous governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, had provided tools and facilities for vehicle testing in Asaba, Warri, and Sapele.
