The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday in Mfum, Cross River State, called for more neighbourliness and mutual understanding between African states to enhance trade, increase security and promote the development of the continent.

Represented by the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, Buhari stated this at the commissioning ceremony of the Nigeria/Cameroon Joint Border Post and Bridge.

In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari was quoted to have said, “It is with great sense of satisfaction that we are witnessing the official Joint Commissioning of the Mfum/Ekok 1.5km joint bridge and border post.

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“Let me begin by commending the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States, the Economic Community of Central African States, and the Government of the Republic of Cameroon that worked closely to realise this project, as well as the African Development Bank that provided funding for the execution and completion of this 1.5km Joint Border Project.’’

President Buhari noted that the projects will deepen the inextricably linked cultural and traditional fraternal bonds that already exist between Nigerians and Cameroonians living in the border communities.

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“Let me also underscore that to maximise 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.

President Buhari affirmed that the completion of the project had made both Nigerians and Cameroonians living around the area jubilant.

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“The completion and commissioning of this project could not have come at a more auspicious time than when Nigeria has signed and ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement. Therefore, we expect that the commissioning 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 ECOWAS and the Economic Community of Central African States.