Wednesday morning at the Bamenda II Council Hall felt less like a formal political gathering and more like a family meeting. Over 90 commercial motorcycle operators gathered as Mayor Chenwi Peter handed over 400,000 FCFA in direct fuel support—a crucial intervention for men who spend their days trying to earn a living on increasingly tough, unpredictable streets.
For years, commercial bike riders in Bamenda have been hit from all sides: soaring fuel prices, frequent lockdowns, and security challenges that make every trip a gamble. This latest push from the council aims to take some of the crushing weight off their shoulders, putting gas straight into their tanks so they can keep their bikes moving and bring money home to their families.
From Exercise Books to Fuel Pumps Since taking office in 2020, Mayor Chenwi Peter has made supporting the bike sector a personal trademark. In previous years, the council’s annual outreach focused on handing out school supplies—books, pens, and bags—for the riders' children ahead of the academic year.
This time, the Mayor changed tactics. By easing their heaviest daily operational cost—fuel—the council is putting real purchasing power directly back into the riders' hands. The goal is simple: help them work, earn, and decide for themselves how to take care of household expenses and school fees. Addressing the crowd, Mayor Chenwi spoke plainly about the bond between the council and the men on the bikes:
> "We have been living like a family since 2020. When there are good moments, we share together; when there are bad moments, we share together. We are in a difficult town, but these riders are the people who keep this municipality moving. We have to stand with them when things get hard." > — Mayor Chenwi Peter, Bamenda II Council
The event wasn't just about handing over money; it was an open dialogue on accountability and security. Mayor Chenwi commended the Bamenda II riders for staying organized—noting that unlike in surrounding areas, local riders wear distinct jackets, display proper badges, and work through recognized unions.
He urged union executives to keep a tight handle on their membership, warning that allowing rogue elements or unqualified riders to infiltrate the trade endangers everyone and damages the sector's reputation.
"The bike riders of Bamenda II are organized. They wear their uniforms and operate with order. We cannot allow people to just infiltrate from nowhere and ruin what we have built." Mayor Chenwi Peter
Taking the floor, the President of the Mezam Commercial Bikers Union expressed deep gratitude for the continuous support and pledged that riders would do their part to protect the community.
> "The governor told us that we are all peacemakers. I will not stand by and watch bad individuals inside our sector ruin our name. We are loving citizens, and we are working toward peace. What the mayor has done today proves he values us, and we are ready to help keep Bamenda II peaceful and normal." > — President, Mezam Commercial Bikers Union
The 400,000 FCFA fuel boost directly cuts daily overhead for over 90 riders during a tough economic stretch. Shifting from physical goods to operational support gives riders immediate cash flow to handle urgent family priorities. The event reinforced an essential partnership between local government and commercial transporters to keep the peace and protect the city's economic heartbeat.
