Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has called for more neighbourliness and mutual understanding between African states to enhance trade, and security and promote the development of the continent.
The president, represented by the minister of state, Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, made the call at the commissioning ceremony of the Nigeria/Cameroon Joint Border Post and Bridge in Mfum, Cross River state.
While speaking on the benefits of the project, the president said the 1.5km project would enhance the interconnectivity of “our people and communities, improve living standards, reduce barriers 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 (JBP). Let me begin with commending 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 that worked closely to realise this project, as well as the African Development Bank (AfDB) that provided funding for the execution and completion of this 1.5km Joint Border Project.”
President Buhari in another statement issued by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina noted that the projects will deepen the inextricably linked cultural and traditional fraternal bonds that already exist between Nigerians and Cameroonians living around the border communities.
“Let me also underscore that to maximize the benefits of these projects, the Nigerian and Cameroonian officials that would be saddled with the responsibility of manning the Joint Border Post, in particular, must act in the most professional manner, as well as in line with the global best practices, effective from today,’’ he added.
