President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Mfum, Cross River State, urged for increased neighborliness and mutual understanding between African states in order to boost commerce, security, and prosperity on the continent.
At the commissioning ceremony of the Nigeria/Cameroon Joint Border Post and Bridge, the President, represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, stated that the 1.5km project would increase the interconnectivity of “our people and communities, improve living standards, reduce barriers to inter-regional trade, and bolster border security.”
“It gives me great pleasure to be here at the official Joint Commissioning of the Mfum/Ekok 1.5-kilometer Bridge and Joint Border Post” (JBP). Let me begin by praising the Leaderships of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the Government of the Republic of Cameroon, who collaborated closely to realize this project, as well as the African Development Bank (ADB), which provided funding for the execution and completion of this 1.5km Joint Border Project.
President Buhari stated that the initiatives will strengthen the inextricably interwoven cultural and traditional relationships between Nigerians and Cameroonians residing in border areas.
“Let me also emphasize that, in order to maximize the benefits of these initiatives, the Nigerian and Cameroonian personnel tasked with manning the Joint Border Post must act in the most professional manner and in accordance with global best practices, effective immediately,” he said.
“Such jubilation represents the will of our People and Governments to remain united despite our ostensibly artificial barriers,” President Buhari stated.
When Nigeria signed and approved the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, there could not have been a more favorable time for the completion and commissioning of this project. Consequently, we anticipate that the inauguration of this Joint Border Bridge and Post will not only strengthen the existing cordial relations between Nigeria and Cameroon, but also enhance cooperation between the Economic Community of West African States and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
“Under the AfCFTA, this project has the potential to increase the amount of economic activities in our regions and promote the free flow of persons, products, and services among the nations along the corridor. It would also serve as an essential link between Western and Central African regions. In addition, the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria anticipates that this Joint Border Post and Bridge would improve security patrol and promote effective cooperation along this section of our border with the Republic of Cameroon. While we are confident that this project will achieve its objectives, it is also our goal that it will complement the efforts of the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon to combat terrorism and violent extremism in our region.
“This is significant since the activities of violent extremists continue to pose significant hurdles to the development of our nations and regions,” he concluded.
The President stated that the threat of insecurity continues to harm economies, restrict the exploitation of the strategic potentials of our nations, and generate political upheavals and danger in our subregion.
“Therefore, we expect that the launch of this initiative would expedite the work of our valiant security forces, who are already doing an excellent job of securing our regions.
“We also pray that this initiative will increase the interconnection of our people and towns, raise living standards, eliminate barriers to interregional trade, and bolster border security. We are confident that these projects would strengthen the intricately interwoven cultural and traditional familial links that already exist between Nigerians and Cameroonians living in border towns, as indicated by the President.
He remarked that the project, which is part of the ongoing Nigeria/Cameroon Multinational Highway and Transport Facilitation Programme (NCMH&TFP), will stand as a visible symbol of the ongoing collaboration and good neighborliness between both countries and Regional Economic Communities.
“This bridge and the Joint Border Post are evidence that when African countries collaborate with African Institutions, exceptional and people-centered cross-regional development projects can be completed in record time,” he remarked.
The President expressed gratitude to all the Institutions and Agencies that made the project possible.
“In this regard, I am reminded that despite the global COVID-19 lockdown, the Government of the Republic of Cameroon cooperated with us to provide a joint waiver to the expatriates employed by the construction business responsible for the project. This project was finished on schedule thanks to the collaboration and support of President Paul Biya, the Cameroonian government, and the Cameroonian people.
“Let me also offer the appreciation of the government and people of Nigeria to the African Development Bank for its participation in financing these projects. Under the leadership of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the Bank has become, by all accounts, a dependable source of assistance in all things pertaining to Africa’s development. Indeed, we are very pleased of the accomplishments of the current management of our continental bank, which has demonstrated that we actually have “African solutions to African challenges.”
“I would also want to applaud the leadership and employees of ECOWAS and ECCAS for their tireless efforts to ensure the timely completion of this project. It is crucial to emphasize that visible initiatives such as these, as well as other vital and life-altering infrastructure, are the type of projects that the residents of our subregion have longed to see. The expectation is that, under the leadership of Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, ECOWAS would continue to meet the needs of our residents.
“Finally, I’d want to convey our heartfelt gratitude to the contractors, CGCOC, who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the execution and completion of this high-quality project within a realistic timeframe. President Buhari expressed his gratitude to all those who had contributed in some way to this momentous occasion.
In his remarks, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, stated that the significance of the new bridge extended beyond the connection between Nigeria and Cameroon, thereby bolstering the greater endeavor to connect Africa.
He stated that ECOWAS and the African Union will continue its efforts to strengthen networking among Africans, which have been ongoing since 1969.
People will be able to drive from Lagos to Mombasa as a result of Fashola’s commitment to developing roads and bridges consistently.
The Cameroonian Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, who represented President Paul Biya, praised the contributions of the project’s many players and assured that Nigeria-Cameroon relations will continue to explore new avenues for collaboration.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
November 3, 2022