Buhari, Paul Biya Inaugurate $44m Nigeria - Cameroon Link Bridge

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari and his Cameroonian counterpart, Paul Biya, have jointly inaugurated the $44 million two lanes border bridge at the Nigeria-Cameroon border at Mfum/Ekok.

Also inaugurated is a joint border post at Mfum, in Etung Local government area in Central Cross River State.

President Buhari was represented at the commissioning by his Minister of state for foreign affairs, Zubairu Dada, while his Cameroonian counterpart was represented by the Minister of public works, Emmanuel Nganou Njoumessi.

The Nigerian president said the project is a visible testament of the cooperation and neighbourliness between both countries.

He added that the project will enhance trade and strengthen relationships between both countries.

“This project is part of the ongoing Nigeria/Cameroon multinational highway facilitation programme and is a visible testament to the continuing cooperation and good neighbourliness between our neighbouring countries.

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

“We expect that the commissioning of this joint border bridge and post will strengthen the existing cordial relations between Nigeria and Cameroon.

“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”, the president said.

On his part, the Cameroonian president said the project illustrates the confidence between both countries.

He said it will further the Green Tree Agreement that settled the Bakassi dispute.

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

“This should be considered as a physical instrument for bringing people together and enhancing economic integration.

“The corridor covers 441 km of road and will contribute to facilitating trade and strengthening relations between Cameroon and Nigeria.

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

It will further the Green Tree Agreement establishing the peaceful settlement of the Bakassi conflict”, he said.

He added that Cameroon on its part will undertake any initiative that will maintain serenity in its border relationship with Nigeria.

On his part, Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Works, said that they have delivered and acknowledged all the people who took part in making the project possible.

“The bridge connects not just Nigeria and Cameroon, but the beginning of the Trans-African Connection.

“This Bridge is part of Route 8, it’s not just connecting Nigeria and Cameroon, but we are trying to connect Lagos to Mombasa in Kenya, which is the significance of the bridge”, he said.

The border bridge is one of the projects under the Nigeria-Cameroon Mix Commission and is aimed at repairing the strained relationship between both countries following the Bakassi dispute.

It commenced in April 2017 and was completed in May 2021.

The defects liability period ended in October 2022, hence the project became ready for acceptance by the clients.

November 04, 2022