800 commercial motorbike riders to sit test

In a bid to sensitise and train road users, a campaign was launched by Balla Philippe-Bernand, the Mfoundi Divisional Delegate for Transport in November 2015.

He later sensitised 250 motorbike riders under the patronage of the Divisional Officer for Yaounde IV, Locko Motassi Martin. The initiative encouraged commercial motorbike riders in the subdivision to take up the challenge of receiving training.

Ever since, almost 800 motorbike riders from the area have received training in riding schools, Jérémie Ondoua Beyeme, founder of the "Auto-Moto Ecole l'Excellence," disclosed. The training sessions took place in Ekié-Hamadou, near the Brasseries Playground in Yaounde since June 2015 after the launch by Locko Motassi Martin. The courses included the Highway Code, the risks of riding a motorbike and good conduct on the road.

The training was concluded on May 14, 2016, with a Category 'A' riding test for almost 800 candidates, organised by "Auto-Moto Ecole l'Excellence," in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport. Jérémie Ondoua Beyeme says the pace-setting training and practical test are aimed at reducing the number of accidents and traffic incidents often attributed to poor mastery and use of the road by commercial motorbike riders.

Speaking to Cameroon Tribune on phone on May 9, 2016, Balla Philippe-Bernand confirmed the information, adding that he was in the process of getting a special authorisation from the Ministry of Transport to organise the test. He said he visited the training grounds at Ekié-Hamadou, after being informed of the initiative by the Divisional Officer for Yaounde IV.