In a press release signed March 12th, Senior Divisional Officer, Songa Pierre Rene observed that, the decision is prompted by the need to upgrade the sector and curb insecurity. The order took effect immediately and defauders are at risk of facing the “arm of the law”.
For one to become a bike rider, repairer, own a bike or do any transaction that has to do with a motorcycle, you must have certain requirements:
– You must own a National Identity Card
– Your bike must be registered in any of the councils of Bamenda 1,2 or 3. Or at the City Council.
– For commercial bikes, you must paint its tank with the yellow color and obtain a Jacket with a serial number from the councils. Here is the communiqué below.
The motor Bike sector over the years have been a hard nut for the local administrative authorities of the region to contain. It should be noted that, this same procedure was introduced some time ago in the region but failed to go through thanks to misunderstanding between the council areas, corrupt officials and limited human and material resources to put the plan in check.
As the crisis rolls on in the region and beyond, the Governor of the region had continued his ban on movement after 9pm to crack down Separatist fighters.
The most effective means of movement for these armed men is the motorcycle. Many innocent civilians have had their bikes ceased by the fighters for their missions which has often implicated the local people. Many motorcycles too have been burnt by security forces each time they suspect they belong to the Ambazonian Separatist fighters.
The commercial bikes sector employs many skilled and unskilled young men in the region. By April 2015, there were already more than 5.000 registered bikes in Mezam Division alone. However, less than one quarter of that number operate in the area as of this moment. A great majority of the youngsters have either escaped to other regions, or simply join the Fighters for the Restoration of the so called “Ambazonian State”
This order is yet to find an effective implementation strategy except a military approach, which as at now, remains a wrong move as the region seeks urgent peace and serenity. Fear of military excesses on local bike riders is feared thanks to the Press release.
