As a result of the armed conflict plaguing the two English speaking regions of the country, the life of bike riders have become more complicated. Some who have been attacked and forced to relocate for safety and survival. Others have lost documents such as ID Cards, Birth Certificates, receipts and others are forced to ride bikes for survival without these documents which makes their work difficult especially with the numerous police check points around town.
Bike riders are therefore left with no choice than to avoid these control post for fear of bike seizure or settlement.
Mayeni Ndi President of Okada Union Bamenda II
"Since there is crisis, most of us don't have documents, reasons why we pleaded for the Mayor to help us so that we can move freely. There are some of us who cannot move freely. This bike riding business has gone down drastically because of this crisis. Many inhabitants of Bamenda have relocated, most of our friends who were bike riders have all moved to places like Yaounde, Douala and others." Mayeni Ndi President of Okada Union Bamenda II hinted
"We are facing so many difficulties, most of us do not have documents. Amongst maybe 100 riders, just about two have documents. Some have lost their ID Cards, birth certificates because of the crisis and have relocated. We don't have documents like riders' license, birth certificate, identity cards and others. Having these documents will help us circulate freely so that we don't keep running away from security checkpoints, " Mayeni Ndi added
To this effect, the Mayor of Bamenda II Council, Mayor Chenwi Peter ahead of Christmas celebration Friday December 10, 2021, have celebrated with bike riders of his municipality while promising to produce documents for the riders. The celebration was accompanied by 150 bags of rice which was distributed to over 500 riders.
While addressing the riders, Mayor Chenwi Peter acknowledged the fact that the bike riding sector is a very important sector which has been neglected and for peace to Reign in the municipality, they have to be well treated.
He went ahead to enumerate the importance of the sector while appreciating them for facilitating movements of school going children to schools, business persons to the markets, farmers to the farms and other activities.
100 birth certificates, 100 ID Cards, 100 rider's licence will be the first set of production to be done by the Mayor, a promise he made while handing over the bags of rice. Marriage certificates will be issued to those who are willing to legalise their marriages free of charge while support will be given to those who have school going children to assist them in their education.
This gesture to the Mayor was motivated by "Complaints from the Bamenda II Bike Riders' Union indicate that many bikes have been seized by security forces. I realized that they don't have documents reason why I decided to come in which I know is a peace building process. I have instructed the President of the Union to bring a list of those that are facing these difficulties so that work can start immediately" Mayor Chenwi Peter
Come February 2022, the Mayor plans to organise a tombola game exercise where these bike riders shall participate four winners will back home brand new motorbikes.
By
Anye Nde Nsoh
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