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From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Federal Government is considering the construction of a bridge over the Lake Chad, (a total of 65km) to link Nigeria to the Republic of Chad.
In a meeting with the Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi and his Chadian counterpart, Chadian Adviser on Infrastructure, Mr. Baharadine Mahamat Zakaria, Nigeria assured Chad of its commitment to activating partnerships and fostering collaborations to address common challenges and to aggregate, harness and project the shared strength of the Sahel region towards realising the full economic potential of the continent of Africa.
“I am happy that your president is in touch with our president on this project. The two countries have a broad and brotherly relationship. We welcome you with open arms. The co-operation between the two countries has been there, especially on security and economy, and Chad is a very important partner to Nigeria. We assure you that the project is key to the development of Nigeria and Chad. As a Ministry of Works, we are capable and ready to do our part as soon as we are given a nod by Mr. President” he said while urging the Chadian delegation to make official communication on the nitty gritty of collaborations needed from the Nigerian government.
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In his mission statement, the leader of the Chadian delegation and Chadian Minister of Infrastructure, Mr. Baharadine Mahamat Zakaria said they were in the country to discuss the establishment of a direct transportation link between Chad and Nigeria, which majorly is the construction of a bridge over the Lake Chad, a total of 65km. He highlighted the potential of the transportation corridor, which he said, would enhance regional connectivity and accessibility, economic development, social cohesion, political and diplomatic co-operation. He requested for the organisation of a meeting between the two countries at technical and administrative levels in order to finetune modalities and mechanisms for realising the programme.
In a statement, he said that the initiative might include port, transport, and fluvial infrastructure projects as well as joint actions for the preservation of the Lake Chad ecosystem.
The meeting had in attendance the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, the Director, Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Clement Ogbuagu, the Director, Highways Bridge and Design, Musa Saidu,the Director, legal services, Chinelo Igboko, among others. The Director, African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mistura Abudulahem also came to witness the bilateral event.
Also, in the company of the Chadian Minister were: The Ambassador of Chad to Nigeria, Mr. Brah Mahamat; the Chadian Adviser on Infrastructure, Mr. Baharadine Mahamat Zakaria; the Director General of Special Fund for the Preparation of Infrastructural Projects, Mr. Issa Doubragne; the Chadian General Affairs Officer, Mr. Oumar Adam Saleh; the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mbounadye Antoine, among others.
