Moma Sandrine in Bamenda
Batibo is a sub-division in Momo Division in the North West Region of Cameroon. Since the start of socio-political unrest in the region in 2016, Batibo sub-division has been one on the areas with the highest number of attacks by secessionist. These attacks intensified early this year resulting to the kidnap of the DO for Batibo, NamataDiteng Marcel and other denizens of the community.
Following the DO’s abduction in Kruku village on February 11, 2018, An order was signed by the Governor of the North West Region Adolf LeleL’Afrique banning the circulation of motorbikes throughout Batibo sub-division. This ban was later reinforced by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Atanga Nji Paul, a decision welcomed with mixed feelings by those living in Moghamo. To some the decision was quite timely while to others the ban is a setback to socio-economic operations in the community.
In a bid to know more about how denizens of Batibo are putting up with the ban on motorbikes, The SUN caught up with the Interim D.O for Batibo, Kwandie Ernest Kari who said that the ban is considered by many as a necessary evil. To him, even before higher authorities placed the ban, officials of Batibo were gradually looking forward to taking a similar action. “Before now, Batibo had been observing a suspension in the circulation of motorbikes” he told The Sun.
According to him, motorbikes facilitate quick escape of persons carrying out unlawful acts and as such, placing a ban on its circulation can go a long way to reduce the frequency of attacks in the village. Although he regrets the fact that the ban has rendered scores of villagers jobless, he still thinks that the ministerial order is a means to an end.
“When the Minister, H.E AtangaNji came here, he handed identification jackets and helmets to the council indicating that should bike riders prove themselves as responsible citizens, the ban might be lifted” Kandie Ernest told The SUN.
Getting from an authority in the Batibo fon’s palace who prefers to be anonymous, The Sun gathered that so many sons of Batibo have been plunged into petit theft, a phenomenon that was gradually disappearing in the community.
“Prior to the coming of motorcycles, some of these boys were thieves and now they no longer have access to motorcycles, we fear the fact that they could become thieves again and bring a problem to society.”
Speaking as a village authority he said “as a village we are of the opinion that motorcycle use should be allowed to go on. I am 76 and when I write letters for the traditional council, I am not able to go to the other smaller villages to distribute them. I am not the only one facing difficulty in transportation, people now prefer to stay indoors because of no means of circulation within the community. Motorbikes also facilitated the transportation of palm wine and crops from interior villages to the central town. Our plea to government is to lift the ban.”
He went futher to tell The SUN that the ban has caused many bike riders to relocate to Bamenda thus depriving Batibo council of the money which should have been paid into their coffers everything being equal.
Since the ban of motorbikes in Batibo inhabitants are gradually getting used to the new way of life as they resort to trekking long distances when need arises. Although challenging, they are left with no choices many remarked.
“My shoes are gradually wearing out due to long distance trekking” one of them told The SUN. Young boys and girls, old men and women are all faced with this new way of life. A lady coming back from work, carrying a heavy bag with foodstuff she had bought remarked “it is really not easy but I have no choice than to carry this bag on my head till I reach my house.”
The stress denizens of Batibo sub-division are going through because of the ban cannot be overemphasized. Although a handful of them think the ban was necessary, others hold the opinion that government should have sought an alternative way of solving the unrest in the subdivision. Villages most affected by this suspension of bikes include Mbengok, Nuben, Ambo, Enyoh, Efah, and Kuruku.
