There was a festive atmosphere on the morning of Monday 28 April in Yagoua, in Cameroon’s Far North region. Beneath a burning sun, the Prime Minister of Cameroon, Joseph Dion Ngute, and his Chadian counterpart, Allamaye Halina, cut the symbolic ribbon and unveiled the commemorative plaques marking the opening of the bridge over the River Logone, which connects the two Central African countries.
The official opening of the road bridge brought together the highest authorities of the two neighbouring countries and their partners, including the African Development Bank Group, represented by Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, its Senior Vice-President, and Solomane Koné, acting Director General for Central Africa, along with senior figures from the European Union in Chad and Cameroon.
Traditional and customary leaders from the Far North and Logone regions, as well as representatives from the private sector, civil society and local authorities from Bongor in Chad and Yagoua were also present, proudly sporting their best clothes, official uniforms or traditional costumes.
The celebrations were punctuated with colourful cultural entertainment, featuring traditional songs and dances performed by groups of artists from both countries.
“The bridge is a promise of prosperity for the people of Yagoua and Bongor, a promise of safety for those who cross the river in precarious conditions, and a promise of development for our sub-region,” the Cameroonian prime minister proudly declared.
His Chadian counterpart, Allamaye Halina talked about the benefits the bridge would bring.
“As a son of Chad, I am particularly moved to see this project come to life. Allow me a personal anecdote. During a conversation I had with a resident of Yagoua, he explained the risks he used to take crossing the river in a dugout canoe to visit his family in Bongor. Today, thanks to the bridge, such dangerous crossings will be consigned to the past,” he said. “The bridge is a symbol. It reflects our historical and cultural links, the brotherhood that has united Chad and Cameroon for centuries.”
Speaking on behalf of the Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, he proposed to name the new structure the “Chad-Cameroon Friendship Bridge”.
Local residents cross the bridge over the Logone, which is now officially open to users.
A large-scale project with a significant regional impact
The bridge over the River Logone was built as part of the Lake Chad Basin Regional Road Network Integration Project. Building the bridge cost 112.79 million euros, with 66.6 million euros of funding provided by the African Development Bank Group. The European Union provided 40 million euros, while Cameroon contributed 6.27 million euros.
The bridge is accompanied by a 14.18 km link road.
Its opening “marks an essential step in bringing the two countries together, as well as for the region’s economic and social development,” commented Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade. The link road “will help to improve the efficiency of commercial trade and create new opportunities for businesses and people on both sides of the border. By strengthening the connectivity between the two countries, the bridge will help reduce pockets of vulnerability and will dynamize the regional economy.”
Some 500 direct jobs were created during the bridge’s construction and numerous opportunities for indirect jobs are expected when it is in use, thanks to the revitalization of economic activities in the region. It will also bring significant socioeconomic benefits, including better access to basic services, lower agricultural and transport costs, and easier commercial trade. By unlocking access to areas of economic vulnerability, the bridge will help strengthen social cohesion, job creation and poverty reduction, while also improving regional integration in Central Africa.
Relief for the population
The people of Yagoua and Bongor, who turned out in large numbers to be present at this historic moment, now breathe air full of hope and optimism.
“I make the trip from Yagoua to Bongor almost daily. The bridge is a source of joy and genuinely makes life easier. We’re very grateful. As people say, where there are roads, there’s development,” said Marie Béatrice Tikamda Moussa, a shopkeeper in Chad.
Even though the level of the Logone appears low at this time of year, because of drought and the burning sun of the far north of Cameroon, appearances can be deceptive: in the rainy season, the river becomes formidable and hazardous as it swells, and the hippopotamuses return. Crossing it on a ferry or in a dugout canoe can then become a hazardous experience.
“Before, we used to transport our equipment in dugout canoes that often capsized, especially during the rainy season. We used to lose a lot of equipment, and sometimes even human lives,” recalls Rigobert Wamalamou, a welding contractor and resident of Yagoua. “Now, thanks to the bridge, we’ll be able to develop numerous activities that will help us earn more money, and that will improve the living conditions of people in Yagoua and Bongor. The bridge will also make trading easier: people from Chad can now bring their goods to Cameroon, and people from Cameroon can take theirs to Chad,” he said.
Not far from the bridge over the Logone, dugouts and ferries are being abandoned. They will no longer be used for travelling from Yagoua to Bongor and vice versa. Now, people will cross on foot, by motorbike, bicycle or car in complete safety.
Source African Development Bank Group
