Bridge of National Integration!

The populations of the Littoral and SW Regions came out en masse to salute the revolutionary second bridge on River Wouri.

In some 36 months from now (three years) the movement of persons and goods across the Wouri River from the Littoral to the South West, North West, West Regions and beyond and vice versa would more than ever be smooth. Journeying out of the nightmarish traffic on the loan bridge would equally open up a new wave of deeper relations between the two peoples.

The number of people who came out from the two regions as well as from other nooks and crannies of the country to salute the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of a second bridge on River Wouri Thursday November 14 by the country's Chief Executive spoke of the importance of the edifice. Irrespective of their cultural, linguistic and political backgrounds, the people came out like one person, were united under one State and President to welcome a common and mutually beneficial masterpiece - the bridge.

A huge crowd of people with diverse dance groups filled the ceremonial ground at the Bonaberi neighbourhood chanting songs of praise to the Presidential couple for "personally coming to Douala to carry out the historic laying of the foundation stone which materializes the Head of State's Greater Accomplishment Programme in our Region."

The different activities that punctuated the historic ceremony gave the population and the dance groups the opportunity to showcase their gratitude to the Presidential couple in spontaneous thunderous applause. From the Government Delegate to the Douala City Council, Fritz Ntonè Ntonè who conveyed the peoples' joy to President Paul Biya for materializing his 2011 electoral promise of making Douala an economic pool par excellence, the Sawa Chiefs and groups who had taken up vantage positions at the grandstand applauded in unison.

The same joy was re-echoed when the Elite's representative, Laurent Esso, took to the rostrum to describe the Head of State's visit to the region as unifying. "The second bridge is highly welcomed and we say thank you. Crossing the River Wouri can take us easily even right to Bakassi," the Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, said.

The joy was even more total given the characteristics of the bridge. From a crowded bridge to a five-lane roadway, two from Douala towards Bonaberi and three from Bonaberi towards Douala and a two-lane railway deck, traffic would be smoother than ever before. Being told that two lanes of the former bridge shall be reserved for traffic from Deido towards Bonaberi, meaning four lanes shall be opened to users crossing from Deido to Bonaberi while those crossing from Bonaberi to Deido shall use three lanes, making a total of seven lanes instead of the present two lanes used for both directions, even made the population more happier as they sang and danced in appreciation.

The various gifts from diverse groups to the presidential couple translated the joy of the people for the honour to have the Head of State and wife amidst them.