BAN ON MOTOR RIDING IN BAWKU RELAXED (PAGE 67, MAY 31, 2010)

National Security has relaxed the temporary ban imposed on the riding of motorbikes in the Bawku municipality and its environs.
According to the Bawku Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Musa Abdulai, the ban had been relaxed to permit only females to ride motorbikes.
He, however, warned that female riders were not supposed to carry males on their motorbikes.
The new measure, which was relayed to the people by the Information Services Department last Friday, was greeted with cheers by sections of the people of the area who had endured the displeasure of either walking long distance to their destinations or resorting to the use of bicycles.
Diana Gariba, a teacher, told the Daily Graphic that the relaxation of the ban on the riding of motorbikes would bring great relief to the people.
Sections of the public in Bawku, especially government workers, health workers and teachers, had, in the past, appealed to the government for special permits to enable them to use their motorbikes, the major means of transportation in the municipality.
In April this year, National Security imposed a temporary ban on motor riding in Bawku, with the aim of reducing the spate of lawlessness and murders in the area.
The ban, according to the authorities, was to curb the activities of gunmen who went about killing innocent people and fleeing from crime scenes with the aid of motorbikes.
The MCE, who is also the Chairman of the Bawku Municipal Security Committee, said the ban had served its purpose, stressing that it reduced the spate of crime in the municipality.
Mr Abdulai, however, cautioned against the abuse of the new measure, warning that any person found violating the directive would be arrested.