Months after the Kano State Government flagged off the reconstruction of Zungeru Road in Fagge Local Government Area, residents say the project is moving at a snail’s pace, leaving them frustrated.
The 3.6-kilometre road project was commissioned in May by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who at the time urged contractors to ensure speedy completion. But Kano Times learnt that work has been progressing very slowly, with little visible improvement on the ground.
Traders along the corridor said the poor condition of the road continues to cripple businesses, with many customers avoiding the area due to the difficulty of accessing the market.
“Before the government came to start this project, we thought relief was on the way. But now, customers no longer come to us because the road is worse than before,” lamented Mr. Emmanuel Alegbe, a shop owner.
A motorist, Chidi Moses, narrated his ordeal: “Every week I spend money repairing my car because of this road. The government should not play politics with our suffering.”
Another resident, Grace Uloko, said: “We are tired of promises. What we want is action. Let Governor Yusuf remember that this road serves thousands daily.”
The Zungeru Road project was initially awarded during the second tenure of Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso but was left incomplete by the succeeding administration.
During the commissioning of the ongoing reconstruction, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said the project was part of his administration’s commitment to building critical infrastructure for the improved living conditions of Kano citizens.
“As an emerging mega city, Kano deserves good roads for easy human and vehicular movement within the city and beyond,” the governor was quoted as saying.
He also tasked the contractors handling the project to ensure timely completion and strict adherence to guidelines, assuring them of prompt payment for completed works.
Efforts by Kano Times to reach the state Commissioner for Works, Engineer Marwan Ahmad, for comment proved unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.