According to PM News, Bernard Baridamue, a member in the Rivers House of Assembly, has drawn attention from the public as a result of his recent introduction of the “Bicycle Initiative to Combat Insecurity” in Ward 9 of his Tai State Constituency Tai local government region.
At the Bunu-Tai Town plaza, Barimadue, a first-time politician and Chairman of the House Committee on Emergency Relief/Special Duties, showcased the pet project he gave to combat insecurity.
Prior to their distribution as essential tools to support the fight against insecurity in the ward, pictures showed elders and a few other stakeholders touching the bicycles and torchlight.
Nonetheless, some members of the public praised and criticised the idea.
Read Also: IGP announces appointment of Police Commissioner for Rivers and other states
Following the donation, one Chamberline Kinikanwo expressed his disapproval of the contribution, saying, “This is unacceptable in this 21st century, because it seems we are still living in the 18th century.”
“Our politicians are shameless. This is an enormous shame,” he continued.
He said that Tai’s “brilliant minds” should reject such ideas because the area is quiet and devoid of bicycles and torches.
He said that other MPs are doing greater things to support their people and growth, even as he continued to denounce the plan as abhorrent and nasty.
“Anyway, congrats to Tai people on fighting crime with bicycles and torch lights.”
Quite the contrary, according to Prince Sordum Leke, the donation was a timely intervention by Ngbar, who is also known to the Bunu Tai community as Benco.
Leke maintained that riding a bicycle is the best alternative to local law enforcement because of how expensive petrol and car maintenance are.
Bicycles are inexpensive to maintain, he said, and when employed by vigilante operators, there would be no sound to alert would-be offenders, making it easier for local security to capture them.
Rivers congressman Bernard Baridamue launches the “Bicycle Initiative to Combat Insecurity” in his district
“It will help the vigilantes keep fit, which is an essential element of policing,” claims Leke. Local problems require local answers; we can’t always take cues from other regions. Should he have purchased a Ferrari to police the Bunu Tai Community, for instance, given that the sheriff uses them in London neighbourhoods? Without a doubt.
He maintained that police utilise bicycles for investigation and other purposes even in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Leke questioned what Nigerians understood by riding a bicycle, pointing out that bicycles even have their own dedicated lane in developed nations.
“May God continue to bless him in his representation and help him to better serve the people of Rivers State,” Leke concluded.
