Cameroon and Nigeria inaugurated a bridge over the Cross River on Thursday in a move seen as deepened bilateral relations.
The bridge, about 400 meters long and linking the Cameroonian town of Ekok to Nigeria’s Mfum town is a mark of friendship between the two nations, officials of both countries said while officially inaugurating the bridge.
“The bridge is a symbol of togetherness and fruitful cooperation between Cameroon and Nigeria,” said Cameroon’s Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi.
“This is a bridge between two peoples and nations. This can only help in facilitating our coming closer together,” added Zubairu Dada, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
The new bridge will boost connectivity between the two countries and is also expected to increase integration, commercial exchanges, and movement of goods and people between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
Cameroon and Nigeria have also agreed to create free economic zones on both sides of the bridge and ease customs to promote trade.
