Minister decries snail-speed of Zaria-Sheme Road project

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the Zaria–Sheme Road project after inspecting the construction from Sheme, Katsina State, on Sunday in Kaduna.

Our correspondent reports that the project forms part of the dualisation of Zaria-Funtua-Sokoto road in Kaduna, Katsina Zamfara and Sokoto state, a vast route executed by no fewer than four various contractors across the states.

Goronyo explained that Mothercat Nigeria Limited was handling phases one and two from Sheme to Zaria, while CBC covered about 105 kilometres to Talatan Mafara in Zamfara.

He said Triacta was working from Talatan Mafara to Gusau in Zamfara, while Setraco handles the section from Gusau to Sheme.

At the Zaria–Sheme axis, the minister however, praised Mothercat for delivering durable, high-quality work but described the project’s pace as unacceptable in spite of the corridor’s complexity.

He said that completion rose from seven per cent during his last visit in 2025 to 17 per cent currently, stressing that such progress fell short of the government expectations.

Goronyo said the inspection was conducted on President Bola Tinubu’s directive through the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, alongside Directors who assessed projects along the corridor.

While acknowledging contractors’ challenges, he warned that excuses would not be tolerated, directing Mothercat to accelerate work to meet the agreed timelines.

The minister said the contractor promised to complete 21 kilometres on both lanes by March and about 98 kilometres within the next 11 to 12 months.

He emphasised that the assurances would be enforced by the ministry.

The minister added that Controllers would remain on site, submitting daily or monthly reports to the appropriate director at the ministry.

“This will be to ensure that if there is any infraction, we will come back here to do the needful,” he said.

During his inspection along the Triacta corridor, Goronyo said they restricted the company to about 37 kilometers along Maru to Zamfara.

He said both sides of the remaining sections would be reassigned to another contractor to ensure quality and timely delivery.

Goronyo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure.

He thanked Tinubu, Umahi, ministry’s staffers, controllers, and the media for keeping the public updated on the road project’s progress.

He urged the contractors to maintain the damaged sections so that the existing roads could be maintained to ease motorists’ movements.

Earlier briefing the minister, Ziad Karam, the Project Manager of Mothercat Nigeria Limited, who are handling the Zaria-Funtua-Sheme road, highlighted their challenges to include substantial increase in the prices of materials and Naira depreciation

He added that the approval of rescoping of phase 1, outstanding compensation and right of way at km 9 were also some of the challenges.