A large crowd of commercial motorcycle riders, have staged a riot at the office of the Divisional Officer for Tiko, in the Fako Division, Southwest Region.
News Upfront’s Tiko Correspondent gathered that the protesters, who are from Tiko and Mutengene towns in the subdivision, stormed the DO’s Office on Wednesday May 13, 2020. They’ve asked for the release of their bikes confiscated by the Tiko Municipal Council for non-compliance with the obligatory wearing of face masks.
The Municipal Authority headed by Chief Peter Mesoso, had seized over 50 commercial motorcycles in Mutengene for transporting passengers not wearing face masks.
Similar seizures, were reported in Tiko town with fine raised up to 25,000frs.
The bikers, while chanting protest songs carried placards with inscriptions like ‘Free Our Bikes’.
Mr. Anuafor Cletus Asongwe, DO for the subdivision has assured the strikers, he’ll work in collaboration with the Mayor to facilitate the release of their bikes.
However, the civil administrator insisted on the payment of the council fine, though at a reduced amount of 12,500frs CFA instead of 25,000frs CFA.
It should be noted, the current Mayor of the Tiko Council who took office last February has been keen on keeping the spread of incisidiouse Virus, Covid-19, out of his municipality.
The measures taken last month by the Mayor of the locality included amongst others; the suspension of marriage signing at the council, renting of the council hall for events and access to building structure conditioned to the wearing of protective masks.
By Valentine Luam
