Yaounde III Council : Commercial Motorbike Riders Flag Off Cooperative

One visitor to the Yaounde III Subdivisional Council building in Efoulan, Yaounde on Wednesday April 3, 2024 rightly commented: “A commercial motorcycle rider is getting married! What a massive crowd!” The visitor was not so far from the truth. Indeed, at least 3,000 commercial motorbike riders plying their trade in Yaounde III council area gathered in the council premises. With their bikes carefully parked behind them inside the council perimeter fence. 
Not for a wedding. But for something that concerns their wellbeing. And that of their families - the launch of their cooperative and savings and thrift outfit. Known in French as the Mutuelle d’Assistance et de Solidarité des Travailleurs Independants de Yaounde IIIème, MASTY III. The Board Chair of which is the Mayor of Yaounde III, Lucas Owona. 
Angwa Gilbert, a motorbike rider, said he was informed of the creation of MASTY III by his union leader in Carrefour Olympique, Efoulan, Yaounde. “I was moved by the idea and decided to join. As a commercial motorbike rider, I have projects I plan to carry out. So I do my work with a purpose or goal in mind. I believe with MASTY III, I can realize other dreams for my future,” said Angwa.
“I am not on an electioneering campaign,” Mayor Owona Lucas clarified. “We have launched a cooperative. It is not about me, but you commercial motorbike riders in Yaounde III Subdivisional council area,” he said. “The cooperative will help in enhancing the spirit of togetherness and the welfare of your families. We have already approached a local bank which is ready to grant loans for your micro projects. If we join hands together, we will be able to achieve much with this cooperative. What is expected of you is to save 1,000 FCFA a day,” the Mayor told the crowd of commercial motorbike riders.
“We intend to acquire brand new motorbikes for some members of MASTY III who are expected to repay the amount in a year’s time; with the support of other members of their local motorbike sub-unions. There are 35 such sub-unions in the council area. For a start, we will acquire two motorbikes for two people per sub-union – with all other members serving as collateral for the loans,” Owona Lucas went on. 
Also addressing the occasion was the representative of commercial motorbike riders in Yaounde III Subdivisional Council, Marius Tchoffo Kaffo. Who is also Coordinator of Yaounde III Council Motorbike Riders’ Union. Kaffo, who lavished praises on the Mayor for promising and finally putting into operation the cooperative, repeatedly referred to him as “Papa.” 
He listed a near endless list of what he said Mayor Owona Lucas has done for commercial motorbike riders in the council area. Such as his commitment to the lowly in society long before he was elected Mayor. “For long, we were marginalize...