To curb rising insecurity in Y’de: MINAT boss wages war against unidentified commercial bike riders.

Minister Atanga Nji declared the fresh campaign during a meeting in Yaounde yesterday. The meeting was attended by administrators, municipal authorities and security officials from the seven Subdivisions that make up the Mfoundi Division that covers the nation’s capital.

During yesterday’s meeting, the minister gave October 30 as the deadline for all commercial bikers to get themselves identified or face sanctions. He said the Head of State, President Paul Biya, has given fresh instructions for hoodlums who use motorcycles to assault citizens to be addressed without delay. 

700 cases of assault within two months

 He reiterated the need for bike riders to get themselves identified and established the documents required by law for them to operate. He disclosed that between August and September 2023, there have been 700 cases of assaults across Yaounde.

Minister Atanga Nji also disclosed that within the same period, there have been 300 cases of rape, 110 hijackings and 900 cases of serious accidents. All these are linked to commercial bikers’ association, he said.

Robbers, traffickers invading biking sector

Minister Atanga Nji further stated that findings, through competent authorities, have shown that highway robbers and traffickers have invaded the commercial bike riding sector.

Citing a Prime Ministerial decree of December 31, 2008, the minister said government had opted for bikers to at least establish a National Identity Card, obtain a category ‘A’ driver’s license, register their motorbikes and  put on number  jackets.

 Atanga Nji on gains of bikers

Within the spirit of nationhood, the MINAT boss reminded the bikers that some of them have gained admissions into several institutions and are contributing to nation building.

He cited recruitments into the police, gendarmerie, competitive entrance exams into the Combined Services Academy, EMIA, the National School of Administration and Magistracy, ENAM among others.

In addition to others who are councillors, the minister said, “these examples are given deliberately to show that the government takes this profession seriously, and that some of them can go on to hold public offices, provided they show good conduct and a general sense of responsibility”.

He advised commercial bike riders to shun actions that threaten public peace and order. Minister Atanga Nji told them to make use of competent state institutions anytime they face a challenge.

Caution to importers, owners of motorcycles 

He warned that importers of motorcycles and owners of bikes who fail to comply with the new drive will be sanctioned. Besides paying penalties, he said owners of such businesses will have their shops sealed. They will have to pay a heavy penalty and their businesses will be sealed off, he announced.

“Economic operators who import and sell motorbikes are now prohibited from selling a single motorbike without registering it and identifying the buyer.” he declared.

 Truck drivers reprimanded 

For truck drivers who recently blocked the road at Olembe, complaining of exorbitant taxes, Atanga Nji thundered: “This is my warning to recalcitrant lorry drivers. If you have a complaint, you should raise it responsibly with the relevant authorities…these public servants will pass on your grievances to the appropriate people, and appropriate solutions will be found in line with government's priorities.”

Bikers’ promise to collaborate

For his part, the President of the Union of Commercial Bike Riders, who is also a councillor at the Yaounde IV Council, Mbazoa Tungeh Jeune Marie, assured Minister Atanga Nji that they are ready to support government combat insecurity.