Nigeria, Cameroon Open $44Million Connecting Bridge, Border Post

President Muhammadu Buhari and his Cameroonian counterpart, Paul Biya inaugurated a multi-million-dollar bridge on Thursday.

This was done in the Etung local government area, linking Nigeria to Cameroon.

The bridge which is worth over $44 million, has two lanes and is located at the Nigeria-Cameroon border, at Mfum community.

The community is in the Etung local government area of Cross River State in Nigeria and Ekok community on the side of Cameroon.

The leaders also opened a joint border post at Mfum community in the Etung local government area in Cross River.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, represented President Muhammadu Buhari, while President Paul Biya of Cameroon was represented by the Minister of Public Works, Mr Emmanuel Njoumessi.

Buhari said the project was a visible testament to the cooperation and neighbourliness between both countries.

He added that the project would enhance trade and strengthen the relationship between the countries.

“This project is part of the ongoing Nigeria/Cameroon multinational highway facilitation programme.

“This bridge and post prove that when African countries work together with African institutions, outstanding projects can be achieved in record time.

“This project has the potential to enhance economic activities within our region and also facilitate the free movement of persons, goods and services within the countries along the corridor,” he said.

Biya said, “The construction of the bridge over Cross River is part of the transport facilitation programme on the Bamenda-Mamfe-Abakaliki-Enugu corridor.

“The corridor covers 441 km of road and will contribute to facilitate trade and strengthen relations between Cameroon and Nigeria.”

“Today, the Bamenda-Enugu corridor is fully tarred and one can comfortably drive from Bamenda to Enugu or from Yaounde to Abuja to cover 1100 km or do his business on either side,” he said.

He added that Cameroon on its part would undertake any initiative towards maintaining a good border relationship with Nigeria.

On his part, Mr Babatunde Fashola, Nigeria’s Minister of Works and Housing, said, “This bridge is part of route 8, it is not just connecting Nigeria and Cameroon but we are trying to connect Lagos to Mombasa in Kenya which is the significance of the bridge.”