Bamenda II Council donates CFA 400,000 as fuel Support to Commercial Motorbike Riders.

Bamenda II Council donates CFA 400,000 as fuel Support to Commercial Motorbike Riders.

By Gerald Ngeh. 

The Bamenda II Council has extended financial assistance to commercial motorbike riders in the municipality, providing a total of CFA 400,000 in support to help them cope with the economic pressures facing their families, particularly during the back-to-school period.

The assistance, distributed on Wednesday, benefited about 90 bike riders operating within the Bamenda II Municipality. The initiative, according to the council, forms part of an annual support programme through which the Mayor seeks to maintain close collaboration with commercial motorbike operators and recognise their contribution to the local economy.

Addressing the beneficiaries, the Mayor of Bamenda II, Chenwi Peter, encouraged the riders to put the financial assistance to practical use. He urged them to prioritise their daily activities, including purchasing fuel, maintaining their motorcycles and generating income to meet the needs of their households.

The Mayor also linked the support to the current back-to-school season, a period when many families face increased financial demands as they prepare their children for the new academic year.

He encouraged the riders to work hard and use the opportunity to support their children's education, particularly by ensuring that they have the books and other school materials required for the academic year.

Beyond the immediate financial assistance, the meeting also provided an opportunity for the Bamenda II municipal authorities to strengthen their engagement with the commercial motorbike sector.

Mayor Chenwi Peter described the bike riders as important partners in the activities of the council and in the daily functioning of the municipality. Through their mobility services, the riders provide transportation to residents and contribute to the movement of people and goods across different parts of Bamenda II.

The Mayor, however, reminded the riders that their role within the community comes with responsibilities. He called on them to respect the law, demonstrate discipline in the discharge of their duties and maintain respectful relationships with other road users and members of the public.

He further urged them to stay away from behaviour that could undermine peace, public order and social cohesion within the municipality.

The message was particularly significant as the council continues to encourage community members and local stakeholders to contribute to a peaceful environment. The bike riders were therefore encouraged to see themselves not only as commercial transport operators but also as responsible members of the community who can influence positive behaviour.

The beneficiaries, for their part, expressed appreciation for the assistance and pledged to make constructive use of the support.

They also committed themselves to serving as ambassadors of peace, both within the Bamenda II Municipality and beyond. Their commitment is expected to reinforce ongoing efforts to promote responsible citizenship and peaceful coexistence within the community.

The annual support to bike riders also highlights the council's approach of maintaining direct contact with different groups whose activities are closely linked to the social and economic life of the municipality.

For many commercial motorbike operators, the beginning of the academic year is accompanied by additional financial pressure, as they have to balance their business activities with family responsibilities. The assistance is therefore expected to provide temporary relief while encouraging the beneficiaries to remain economically active.

The Mayor's call for the riders to work, obey the law and provide for their families places emphasis on the dual role of the operators as income earners and community stakeholders.

As the back-to-school period continues, the Bamenda II Council says such engagement with local groups remains important in strengthening community relations and supporting residents facing economic challenges.

The CFA 400,000 assistance may be modest in relation to the broader financial needs of the beneficiaries, but the initiative has also served as a platform for dialogue between the municipal authorities and commercial motorbike riders.

With the beneficiaries pledging to promote peace and responsible conduct, the council hopes that the support will translate not only into improved livelihoods but also into greater cooperation between bike riders, residents and local authorities in Bamenda II.