BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
In continuation of the national media tour and commissioning of emergency/intervention projects across the six geopolitical zones, the Federal Government has inspected and commissioned road projects in Zamfara State.
The commissioning exercise was led by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-West), Hon. Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai alongside key stakeholders in Gusau, Zamfara State Capital.
He explained that the initiative was designed to enable Nigerians, through the media, to independently assess the Federal Government’s interventions in the road sector.
Tanko noted that the media tour was deliberately conducted without the Minister of Works or the Permanent Secretary, to allow journalists unrestricted access to project sites and pave the way for objective and first-hand reporting on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration agenda on infrastructure development.
Providing an update on ongoing projects in Zamfara, the Federal Controller of Works, Zamfara State, Engr. Kasumu Yusuf disclosed that the Zaria–Gusau–Sokoto Road, awarded in April 2023, was segmented into sections for effective execution.
He revealed that Section II (Sheme - Gusau) covering 82 kilometres and being handled by Setraco (Nigeria) Limited has achieved 52 per cent completion with a time lapse of about 25 per cent, placing the project significantly ahead of schedule.
Yusuf listed the completed works as asphalt binder and wearing courses, concrete-paved shoulders, crash barriers, rigid pavements, and the construction of 13 bridges, six of which have been fully completed.
He expressed confidence that the project would be delivered ahead of schedule, given the quality and pace of work.
The Project Manager of Setraco (Nigeria) Limited, Mr. Mustapher Jaber confirmed that over 69 kilometres of binder course and 22 kilometres of wearing course have been laid so far.
He added that concrete shoulders and other durability-enhancing features were incorporated to extend the lifespan of the road.
Jaber commended the Federal Ministry of Works, the Minister, Engr David Umahi; security agencies, and the host communities for their cooperation and support despite security challenges encountered during construction.
Also, the Project Manager of Messrs Triacta (Nigeria) Limited, Mr. Nicholas Kfoury, who is handling the 93.7-kilometre Section III (Gusau –Talatan Mafara) of the Zaria–Gusau–Sokoto Road, said that the project was awarded at a contract sum of ₦237 billion.
He disclosed that the project has reached over 14.5 per cent completion, stating that five bridges have been completed, while work is ongoing on a major six-span, 90-metre bridge, with approximately 26 kilometres of asphalt binder course already achieved.
Officials of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) led by Engr. Haris Muhammed and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), represented by Engr. Abdulkadir Maccido, who participated in the tour, commended the contractors for complying with the approved engineering standards and expressed satisfaction with the quality of work being delivered.
In addition, Hon. Yakasai commissioned a 600-metre Access Road to the Federal Secretariat, Gusau, executed at the cost of ₦641 million by Messrs Construction Product (Nigeria) Limited.
The project involved the construction of storm drainage, asphalt binder and wearing courses, as well as the rehabilitation of lined drains.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving road connectivity, enhancing safety, and stimulating economic activities across the North-West region.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Abdullahi Ahmed in Abuja.
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