10th November, 2023
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
A lawmaker in Rivers House of Assembly, Bernard Mgbar Baridamue has attracted attention of the public following his recent launch of ‘Bicycle Initiative to Combat Insecurity’ in Ward 9 of his Tai State Constituency Tai local government area of the state
Barimadue who is a first time lawmaker and Chairman, House Committee on Emergency Relief/Special Duties, unveiled the pet project he donated to fight insecurity at the Bunu-Tai Town square.
Elders and some stakeholders were seen in photos laying hands on the bicycles and torch lights before they were distributed as valuable resources to aid the battle against insecurity within the ward.
However, the initiative attracted criticisms and commendations from some members of the public.
“This is unacceptable in this 21st century, because it seems we are still living in the 18th century after collecting huge sum of money for Constituency Projects,” one Chamberline Kinikanwo said in his reaction to the donation.
“Our politicians have no shame. This is a very big disgrace,” he added.
He appealed to Tai ‘brilliant minds’ to reject such projects, asserting that the area is peaceful area without bicycles and torch lights
While further dismissing the initiative as disgusting and appalling, he noted that other lawmakers are doing better things to help their people and development.
“Anyway, congratulations to Tai people for using bicycles and torch lights to fight crimes”, he said.
On the contrary, one Prince Sordum Leke described the donation as a timely intervention by Ngbar also popularly known as Benco to the people of Bunu Tai community.
Leke argued that considering the high cost of fuel and maintenance of vehicles, the best alternative to local policing is the use of bicycle.
He noted that bicycles are economical to maintain and when being used by vigilante operatives, criminals would not hear any approaching sound and thus, will enable the local security to apprehend criminals.
According Leke, “It will help the vigilantes keep fit which is an essential element of policing. Local challenges need local solutions, we must not always copy from other climes. For example, since Sheriff’s use Ferrari in neighborhoods in London, should he have bought Ferrari to Police Bunu Tai Community? Certainly not.”
He argued that even in United Kingdom and United States of America, police use bicycles to carry out investigation, and other functions.
Leke said bicycles even have dedicated lane in advanced countries while wondering what Nigerians understand by the usage of bicycle.
“God bless his representation as he continues to ameliorate the challenges of his people for the greater good of Rivers State”, Leke added.
at the launch of the Bicycles and Torchlights to combat crime by Hon Bernard Mgbar, Rivers State Lawmaker representing Tai State Constituency in Ward 9 Bunu-Tai in Tai local government area of Ogoniland.
(5) Hon Bernard Mgbar, Lawmaker representing Tai State Constituency.