The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has presented a total of 416 motorbikes to be distributed to all Assembly members in the 11 Municipal and District Assemblies of the Bono East Region.

Bono East Regional Minister, Mr. Kwesi Adu Gyan who handed over the bikes to representatives indicated that the gesture forms part of the local government's commitment towards empowering and equipping the various Assembly members as a means of deepening democracy at the grassroots level.

"As you are aware, we have 11 Municipal and Districts in the region and it is one of the responsibilities of government to make sure that the Assemblies are equipped especially when it comes to the mobility of the Assemblymen and women.

"Most of these Assembly members live in the very rural areas and they spend a lot of time in helping send pregnant women to the hospital etc and so for that matter, these bikes would help them in delivering their services effectively," he said.

He however charged the beneficiaries to ensure that they acquire the needed riding documentations and work towards maintaining discipline in line with maintaining these motorbikes.

"Having been given these bikes alone is not a license that you can ride anyhow. I want them to acquire the necessary legal documents that enable them to ride include license, including insurance and I'll also ask them to maintain discipline especially in its maintenance so that the motorbikes do not go bad". 

Municipal Chief Executive for Techiman John Kofi Donyina was thankful adding that the Assembly would together with the DVLA hold safety workshops for the beneficiaries to ensure that they ride with care.

"I'm very excited this afternoon because previously, these motorbikes were delivered at the latter part of the tenure of these Assembly members but to receive it early this year means we have it at the right time and I want to thank the sector minister for this move because it would deepen the local Assembly system".

"We are going to liaise with the DVLA to organize a workshop for us to learn more about the safety procedures for the use of these motorbikes to ensure they are effective without involving in any accidents," he further noted. 

On the part of the beneficiaries, Assembly member for the Kenten Electoral Area, Issah Adams said the intervention is timely and would help in the delivering of their various duties.

"This is going to help us a lot because looking at where the Assembly members stay and if there's a problem in the village and one has to report to the mother Assembly and if there's no money or motorbikes, the fellow has to walk for a distance to get to the Assembly and that is troubling," he said.