By Elah Geofrey Mbongale
The newly appointed Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji has hit the ground running after he was installed by the Prime Minister, Philemon Yang last Monday.
The minister has, in a series of administrative decisions stamped his mark on the ministry that was equally split during the recent cabinet reshuffle.
Amongst the several decisions by the minister is the ban on the circulation of motorbikes in some divisions of the restive North West and South West regions of Cameroon. Minister Atanga Nji believes the Ambazonian forces use bikes as their modus operandi to carry out attacks.
Minister of territorial administration
This, he said is the main reason for a temporary ban on the circulation of bikes in some sub divisions of the South West and North West Regions.
“It is increasingly evident that the modus operandi of secessionist terrorists consists in launching successive attacks with about ten motorbikes each having a rider and an armed gangster,” Atanga Nji said in a communiqué signed on March 8.
“With this modus operandi, these terrorists have succeeded in assassinating 27 security officers and burnt several public buildings, schools, schools, hospital facilities , markets, private residences as well as vehicles in both regions,” the communiqué reads further.
Recently, the military has been accused of raiding villages and burning every motorbike they see. Motorbikes are a preferred mode of transportation for most villages with no accessible roads.
The SUN caught up with some members of the public to get their reaction to the minister’s decision;
REACTIONS
How do we sponsor our children?
I personally disagree with the decision taken by the minister; it’s not a right decision because there are so many bike riders who sponsor children in school from the money they make in the business. They say we should send our children to school and now they say we should stop bike work at night.If the government is going to sponsor our children to school, then we will accept such a decision but if they cannotthen we shall not abide by it.
-Ignatius Sanji(Bike rider,Limbe)
I don’t think the ban will work
I see that the banning is of no use because let’s take for instance EkondoTiti, Muyuka and Kumba where the majority of the population do not depend on taxi but bike due to bad roads, (they do not even have taxis especially Ndian Division), how will the people survive?What about those who work at night, how do you think they can get home after work?I am not sure that the ban will work.
-Reisi Belinda (journalist,Limbe)
Move will only increase joblessness
It’s actually not the best approach towards solving the problem, it will instead lead to increase in crime wave because of joblessness, and give more room for youths to join the Separatists. I don’t support the idea to stop the circulation of motor bike in the two Regions.
– Ngoe Joseph,Limbe
Meaningful dialogue, not ban!
The ban on the circulation of motor bikes at night by Minister AtangaNjiwill do eventually nothing to solve the present crisis rocking the two regions.
My opinion to solve this crisis is a meaningful dialogue without preconditions.Note this dialog is just to make sure that peace should flow.
-Anka Fabric (General overseer, Mega youth Limbe)
Will increase rate of banditry and circlusion
For me, it is not the best option, considering the unemployment rate in the country. These bike riders are self employed and limiting their work through a banwill instead increase the rate of banditry. For instance, when bikes were prohibited to circulate in Buea from 9pm-5am,hoodlums took advantage to burgle people’s shops especially in the Molyko neighborhood in Buea. When they are allowed to circulate,they can intercept a thief who may intend to break into a building. Also, in areas like Konye Sub Division and Ndian Division,the roads there are a nightmare. Transportation for example from Wone Bakundu to IbemiBakundu in Konye Sub Division is purely done on bikes, vehicles cannot venture to go there especially during the rainy season .So banning the circulation of motor bikes means disconnecting some villages out from Cameroon
– Joseph Ray Jay (Student journalist, JSF Polytechnic Buea)
It’s a positive step in the midst of insecurity
I will say it is a worrying situation on the bike riders, not leaving out the public transport sector.But on the other hand, though exasperated by such decisions which may have a negative effect on the economy, it is a good idea to maintain peace and stability in these regions due to recent happenings, as exchange of gunfire between arm force and that of the secessionists has become the order of the day. It is a welcome call though difficult to digest by many.
– Arrey Xavier (Pupil Lawyer, Limbe)
Reactions compiled by Ndive Simon Kalla