Motorbike Riders Resurface

Even though the Yaounde City Council issued an order limiting the activities of motorbike riders, to remote areas, some continue to operate in town. Any visitor who comes to Yaounde will go back home with a different impression of the town. Many inhabitants of the capital city have found it difficult to move from one part of the town to the other over the past few weeks. Mr Bella, a civil servant who lives in Biyem-Assi a Yaounde neighbourhood, is desperate. He was seen taking a bike to work yesterday in order to catch up with time. He said he had no option because there were no taxis available and he had to

be at work at 7:30 a.m. Paul and Nicole, students in one of the Government High Schools in Yaounde were also seen boarding a motorbike to school. According to them, it is the fastest means to reach the school. This is the situation of many inhabitants of the capital city today. What has raised eyebrows is that even though the Yaounde City Council issued an order last year limiting the activity of motorbike riders to the outskirts of the town, some riders have resurfaced in the town. With the recent construction sites in town, movement has been rendered difficult. People living in some neighbourhoods especially Mendong, Biyem-Assi and Nsimeyong find it difficult attend to their daily chores. Some people leave their homes as early as 5:45 a.m. in order to avoid reaching the office late. Due to the traffic jam, many vehicles prefer to go through other neighbourhoods to get to town. As a result, motorbike riders have taken the opportunity to make brisk business. Usually, the motorbike riders operate between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m; that is before work really begins. Martin A., one of the motorbike riders said they are allowed to transport passengers to help them reach their work places on time. ??We work early enough to avoid any problems with the agents of the Yaounde City Council,?? he said. However, some people still hold that the motorbike riders are not allowed to operate in town. Abdoulaye, one of the traders in Yaounde, said motorbike riders do not work in town because the agents of the Yaounde City Council seize their motorbikes. ??Only people with private bikes can ride in town. Somebody can hire a commercial motorbike but he has to ride it himself and is not allowed to carry anybody else. However, officials of the Yaounde City Council are bent on waging a war against recalcitrant motorbike riders.
Elizabeth MOSIMA, CT

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