The Ovie of Uvwie kingdom, Abe 1 has enjoined Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIOs, to be professional while carrying out their duties.
The traditional ruler gave the advice when he played host to some VIOs at his palace in Effurun, headquarters of Uvwie Local Government Area in Delta State.
The Uvwie monarch expressed displeasure with the way the officers in Uvwie and Warri operate, stressing that the level of harassment by the officers to residents and visitors does not tell well about them and also portrays the twin cities of Warri and Uvwie in a bad light.
Abe 1 disclosed that he and the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III are working tirelessly to attract investors to Warri and Uvwie kingdoms, adding that they would not tolerate any actions that would jeopardise their efforts
He asked the visiting VIOs to inform other officers to treat people with respect as they carry out their duties, reminding them that a court in the state had restrained VIOs from demanding road worthiness certificate from private vehicle owners.
He revealed that some visitors had complained to the palace on how the VIOs extort money from them.
The VIO Provost in Uvwie Local Government Area, Newworld Esenakife, who led other officers to the palace disclosed that they caution their officers daily but noted that some are still acting unprofessionally.
He assured the Ovie of Uvwie kingdom that he would relay his message to their Director at Asaba for further actions.