By By: Sola Omoniyi
“It Will Enhance Cooperation Between The ECOWAS and ECCAS states,” Buhari Says as He commissions Nigeria-Cameroon Border Bridge, Joint Post
The President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari alongside President of Cameroon, Paul Biya, have commissioned the newly-constructed two-lane Cross River Bridge at the Nigeria-Cameroon border at Mfum/Ekok.
Amb. Zubairu Dada, Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs who represented Buhari, Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, Cameroon’s minister of public works, Emmanuel Djoumessi, and other dignitaries attended the inauguration on Thursday.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday called for good neighborliness and mutual understanding between African states to enhance trade and safety and to promote the improvement of the continent.
In a statement through the president’s media aide in Abuja, Mr Femi Adesina, he stated that Buhari made a call at the inauguration of the Nigeria/Cameroon Joint Border Post and Bridge in Mfum, Cross River.
He was represented at the occasion by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada.
He said the 1.5km project would enhance the interconnectivity of the people and communities, enhance living standards, lessen obstacles to inter-regional trade and strengthen border security.
“It is with a great sense of satisfaction that we are witnessing the official joint commissioning of the Mfum/Ekok 1.5km Bridge and Joint Border Post.
“Let me begin with commending the leaderships of ECOWAS, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the government of the Republic of Cameroon that worked closely to realize this project,’’ he stated.
He also commended the African Development Bank (AfDB) which provided funding for the execution and completion of the project.
According to him, the project will deepen the inextricably linked cultural and traditional fraternal bonds that already exist between Nigerians and Cameroonians living around the border communities.
“In order to maximize the benefits of these projects, the Nigerian and Cameroonian officials that would man the border post must act in the most professional manner, as well as in line with the global best practices,’’ he said.
Buhari affirmed that the completion of the project had made both Nigerians and Cameroonians living around the area jubilant.
“Such excitement symbolizes the resolve of our peoples and governments to remain connected in spite of our seemingly artificial boundaries.
“The completion and commissioning of this project could not have come at a more auspicious time than when Nigeria signed and ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.
“We anticipate that the commissioning of the bridge and border post will strengthen existing cordial relations between Nigeria and Cameroon.
“We expect that it will also enhance cooperation between the ECOWAS and ECCAS states.
“Under the AfCFTA, this project has the capacity to enhance the volume of economic activities in our regions as well as facilitate the free movement of persons, goods, and services within the countries, along the corridor,’’ he stated.
He expressed the belief that the project would also serve as a vital link between the West and the Central African regions.
