The recently built border bridge connecting Nigeria and Cameroon, which includes a shared border post allowing frictionless trade and migration between the two nations, has been officially opened by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
The 1.5 km Ekok/Mfum Bridge and Joint Border Post (JBP) were jointly inaugurated on Thursday in Mfun, Cross River State, by President Buhari and President of Cameroon, Paul Biya.
The duo, who conducted the ceremony, declared that the link bridge project would strengthen Nigeria and Cameroon’s diplomatic and socio-economic ties, while the Joint Border Post would not only deepen those ties but also increase the volume of economic activity in the area and the flow of people, goods, and services with neighboring nations.
Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zuberu Dada, said in a statement released by the Deputy Director of Press at the Ministry of Transportation on Friday that the development would provide a true synergy between inter-country regions to combat the teeming security challenges plaguing the countries.
It will, in his opinion, also play a crucial role in bridging the gap between Western and Southern Africa. In this area of our border with the Republic of Cameroon, the Federal Republic of Nigeria also anticipates that this Joint Border Post and Bridge would improve security patrol and make effective cooperation easier.
“It is also our hope that it will complement the efforts of the Governments of Nigeria and Cameroon to combat the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism in our region”, he added.
To help Nigeria and Cameroon finish the projects in a record amount of time, Buhari applauded the development partners, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank, for providing the funding and support given to the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
Emmanuel Nganuo Djours, the Minister of Public Works for President Biya of Cameroon, made the following remarks on his behalf: “The construction of the bridge across Cross River is part of the Transport Facilitation Program on the Bamenda – Manfe – Abakaliki – Enugu – corridors. The corridor, which spans 441 meters of road, would promote trade and improve ties between Nigeria and Cameroon.
In the meantime, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), the minister of works and housing of Nigeria, expressed happiness over the project’s completion and claimed the bridge will be crucial in connecting various African towns.
“What is most important is that this bridge connects Nigeria and Cameroon. It is the beginning of a trans-African connection. We are not just trying to connect Nigeria and Cameroon; we are trying to connect Lagos to Mombasa in Kenya and this is the significance of this bridge,” he said.
Prince Ademola Adegoroye, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Transportation, praised the contributions of international development organisations and partners to the project but emphasised that intergovernmental organisations from both countries, including Customs, Immigration, and others, should collaborate to advance mutual benefits and peaceful coexistence between the two countries.
In order to create economies of scale, streamline customs procedures, and improve collaboration and coordination of controls, among other things, he stated that the project’s major goal is to improve trade facilitation between the two nations.
“It is my hope that as border officials work together in cooperation, the ties that bind our countries will further be strengthened to the benefit of all. Also, it is hoped that the comfort of the new facility will enable the officials work together in peace and harmony, resulting in the prosperity of the people of the region,” he advised
The governments of Nigeria and Cameroon were praised by the governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, through his commissioner for works, Hon. Dan Osim Asu, for the exceptional project that will increase trade and industry along the frontier states.
