The mayor of Bamenda II Council has initiated a vigorous campaign to encourage bike riders and Buyam Sellams in his municipality to register as voters in preparation for the upcoming multiple elections in 2025.
In a meeting held at the Bamenda II town hall on Tuesday, June 18, Mayor Chenwi underpinned the sacrosanctness of their participation in the electoral process which has brought them positive fruits, re-echoing the long-standing partnership between his office and the local community.
In his address Chenwi Peter expressed gratitude for the support he has received from the bike riders and Buyam-sellams (petty food vendors) throughout his tenure. He underscored their collaborative efforts in various community projects, including initiatives for education, healthcare, and social welfare. “We have a social contract that we signed, and as we approach the polls next year, we need each other’s support,” Mayor Chenwi said.
The bike riders, led by their President Ndi Mayenin, showered praises on the Mayor for his unwavering support during challenging times and pledged to enroll en masse on the electoral list as a gesture of appreciation. In a similar vein, Madam Gladys Sie, President of the Buyam-sellams, echoed their commitment to registering as voters, acknowledging the municipal boss’ continuous assistance.
Matching words with action, the Mayor’s guests of honour responding to his call immediately registered massively into the electoral Register of ELECAM at its Bamenda II Branch installed on the precincts of the Council. This to the immense satisfaction of the dynamic politician who beams with energy.
The meeting between the Mayor, bike riders, and Buyam -sellams took place against the backdrop of a recent ban imposed by the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO for Mezam, prohibiting bike circulation in Bamenda City from 6p to 6am, following series of gun attacks in the city committed with the aid of motorbikes. Ndi Mayenin, the President of the bike riders, expressed their concerns regarding the impact of this ban on their livelihoods and appealed to the Mezam Administration for reconsideration. The restriction on bikes has led to several incidents of arson, resulting in the destruction of multiple township taxis.
In response, Bamenda II Mayor commended the bike riders for adhering to the administrative decision and commiserated with them over the losses incurred due to the restriction. He expressed his satisfaction with the responsible and organized conduct of the bike riders in the municipality, urging them to remain vigilant and prevent any external troublemakers from tarnishing their reputation. As a gesture of support, the Mayor provided the bike riders with 400,000 francs and footwears to assist them during the rainy season, acknowledging their essential role in the community.
He assured them of his continued dedication to their welfare and discussed upcoming projects that would benefit the entire community. As the voter registration drive gains momentum, Bamenda II Municipality anticipates increased civic engagement and active participation in the forthcoming elections in 2025.
Jennyhans NDE
