In an effort to enhance infrastructure across the nation, the Federal Government has successfully inspected and commissioned significant federal road projects in Zamfara State.
This initiative is part of the ongoing National Media Tour and the commissioning of Emergency and Special Intervention Projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The inspection took place on Tuesday, led by Hon. Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the North-West. He was joined by officials from the Federal Ministry of Works, contractors, professional bodies, and media representatives.
During the tour, Hon. Yakasai emphasized that the initiative is aimed at providing Nigerians with the opportunity to independently evaluate the quality, progress, and impact of federal road projects through media coverage. He noted that the tour was intentionally conducted without the presence of the Minister of Works or the Permanent Secretary, allowing journalists direct access to project sites for unbiased reporting on the Federal Government’s infrastructure efforts.
As part of this programme, some completed emergency road projects that had previously been opened to traffic were formally commissioned, marking a significant milestone in the administration’s infrastructure development agenda.
Hon. Yakasai reaffirmed the Renewed Hope Administration’s dedication to enhancing road connectivity, improving safety, and stimulating economic activities not only in the North-West region but across the entire country.
Providing updates on ongoing projects, the Federal Controller of Works in Zamfara State, Engr. Kasumu Yusuf, disclosed that the Zaria–Gusau–Sokoto Road, awarded in April 2023, was segmented into sections to ensure effective execution.
He revealed that Section II, Sheme–Gusau, covering 82 kilometres and handled by Setraco (Nigeria) Limited, has reached 52 per cent completion with only about 25 per cent time lapse, indicating that the project is ahead of schedule..
According to him, completed works on the section include asphalt binder and wearing courses, concrete-paved shoulders, rigid pavements, crash barriers, and the construction of 13 bridges, six of which have been fully completed.
The Project Manager of Setraco (Nigeria) Limited, Mr. Mustapher Jaber, confirmed that more than 69 kilometres of binder course and 22 kilometres of wearing course have been laid.
He said concrete shoulders and other durability-enhancing features were incorporated to extend the lifespan of the road.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Works, security agencies, and host communities for their cooperation despite security challenges encountered during construction.
On Section III of the Zaria–Gusau–Sokoto Road, covering 93.7 kilometres from Gusau to Talatan Mafara, the Project Manager of Messrs Triacta (Nigeria) Limited, Mr. Nicholas Kfoury, disclosed that the project has attained over 14.5 per cent completion.
He said five bridges have been completed, while work is ongoing on a major six-span, 90-metre bridge.
He added that about 26 kilometres of asphalt binder course have also been 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 adhering to approved engineering standards and expressed satisfaction with the quality of work.
The tour also featured the commissioning of a 600-metre access road to the Federal Secretariat in Gusau, constructed at the cost of ₦641 million by Messrs Construction Product (Nigeria) Limited.
The project involved storm drainage construction, asphalt binder and wearing courses, and the rehabilitation of lined drains.
Commissioning the project on behalf of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon. Yakasai reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to deliver durable road infrastructure that supports economic growth and improves the quality of life of Nigerians.
