Lawmaker Donates Bicycles To Launch ‘Initiative To Combat Insecurity’
A Rivers State House of Assembly member, Bernard Mgbar Baridamue, has launched a ‘Bicycle Initiative to Combat Insecurity’ in Ward 9 of his Tai State Constituency in the Tai Local Government Area of the state.
Barimadue who is a first-time lawmaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Emergency Relief/Special Duties, reportedly unveiled the maiden edition of the project when he recently donated some bicycles and torches to security personnel at the Bunu-Tai Town square to use in the fight against insecurity in the area, PM News reports.
The lawmaker’s initiative has attracted mixed reactions from some members of the public.
PM News quoted one Chamberline Kinikanwo as saying, “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.
“Our politicians have no shame. This is a very big disgrace.”
Kinikanwo called on Tai ‘brilliant minds’ to reject such projects, stressing that the area is a peaceful area and not in need of bicycles and torches.
Describing the initiative as disgusting and appalling, Kinikanwo noted that other lawmakers were doing better things to develop their communities.
He said, “Anyway, congratulations to Tai people for using bicycles and torch lights to fight crimes.”
However, one Prince Sordum Leke, described the donation of bicycles and torches by the lawmaker as a timely intervention.
Leke noted that considering the high cost of fuel and maintenance of vehicles, the best alternative to local policing is the use of bicycles.
According to him, 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 vigilantes to apprehend criminals.
“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 Sheriffs use Ferraris in neighbourhoods in London, should he have bought Ferraris to police Bunu Tai community? Certainly not,” Leke said.
He further argued that even in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, police use bicycles to carry out investigations and other functions.
He said, “God bless his representation as he continues to ameliorate the challenges of his people for the greater good of Rivers State.”
