Delta State VIO Officer Injured During Work Cries for Help After Being Ignored by State Govt

A former Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) in Delta State, Mr. Joseph Umukoro, has made a heartfelt appeal to the state government after claiming he was repeatedly ignored in his attempt to seek assistance following a devastating accident that left him incapacitated.

Mr. Umukoro, who hails from Delta State and resides in Ughelli, said he visited the Government House yesterday in a desperate attempt to speak with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori directly. According to him, security officials denied him access to the Governor, even though the Governor had seen him and allegedly walked past while he was bleeding and pleading for help.

“I was there yesterday, bleeding and begging for the Governor to assist me. He saw me twice but refused to give me any attention while attending to other matters. I was pushed aside despite my condition,” Mr. Umukoro recounted tearfully.

Mr. Umukoro served as a VIO officer in the Patani zone of the Delta State Ministry of Transport for eight years before a tragic accident changed his life. On September 22, 2021, he was on duty in a severe trailer accident. The injuries sustained were life-threatening and required extensive surgeries, including a major operation at Delta State Teaching Hospital, Oghara.

Following his discharge in November 2022, Mr. Umukoro said he had to sell his land and personal property to cover his hospital bills. He claimed he received no financial support from the state government during his lengthy recovery.

In a formal attempt to seek government assistance, he wrote through his lawyer to the Ministry of Transport. However, the letter was reportedly rejected for being “too formal” and was advised to be rewritten as an appeal, which was done and resubmitted.

“I submitted the appeal letter to the Ministry of Transport in Asaba. They told me to give them some time. But since then, I have heard nothing,” he said.

In 2023, he followed up with visits to both the Director and the then Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Onoriode Agofure, but said his efforts yielded no results.

Now, three years after the accident, with a wife and three children to care for, Mr. Umukoro says he is completely abandoned and unable to provide for his family.

“I have done my part for the state. I served with dedication until my accident. I am only asking for support to survive and take care of my family,” he said.

Mr. Umukoro is calling on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Delta State Government to intervene urgently and provide the financial and medical assistance he desperately needs.