Representative of transporter’s syndicate in Bamenda have been instructed to strictly follow the prefectural order banning the circulation of motorbikes in Bamenda as from 6:30 pm to 6:30 am. This was during an in-camara crisis meeting convened by the SDO for Mezam, Simon Emile Moh on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
The SDO instructed that all commercial motorcycles must be identified by painting their tanks yellow, be matriculated, the riders must put on jackets with registered numbers, possess driving licence and also form a peace community to identify themselves and fish out intruders. Only after this will the ban be uplifted he informed them. He also warned that taxis and bikes that are painted in blue and white will be confiscated.
Mr. Moh accused some of the bike riders of being accomplices of terrorist and of informing them of military positions. He called for collaboration between the riders and the administration and forces of law and order.
Some of the representatives who attended the meeting speaking to City FM on condition of anonymity said the meeting was not interactive where they could propose solution but rather it was an opportunity for the SDO to pass down instruction without regard to the consequences.
The meeting was attended by the administrative and municipal authorities of the different subdivisions in Bamenda, the representatives of the different motorbike, and taxi driver’s trade unions.
Many small pickup trucks popularly called K-Truck have been impounded at the Gendarmerie Legion Bamenda by security officials because they are painted blue and white. Owners of some we spoke to said they had painted their vehicles blue and white months or years before the counter instruction from separatist fighters calling for township taxis to be painted blue and white.
The situation in Bamenda is becoming tense following the SDO’s order of 27 May banning the circulation of bikes within Bamenda I, II and II subdivisions from 6:30 pm to 6:30 am. This was followed by a counter order by separatist fighters a few days after banning the circulation of township taxis from 6 pm to 6 am. Added to the order was one calling on township taxis to be painted blue and white in replacement of the current yellow colour. This has caused a dilemma to taxi drivers. Some have been set ablaze by the separatist in an attempt to enforce the order. This has been met by a similar action by the security forces that have gone about impounding vehicles with any blue and white colour.
By Abongwa Fozo
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