Use $(MAKE) for recursive calls, don't directly use $(CT_NG).
Pass on the V variable on the $(MAKE) command lines.

/trunk/steps.mk | 6 3 3 0 +++---
/trunk/ct-ng.in | 2 1 1 0 +-
2 files changed, 4 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

#!/bin/sh

SKIP_ME="### CT_NG SKIP ME ###"

skip_me=$(($(cat "${0}" |grep --binary-files=text -o -b -E "^${SKIP_ME}$" |cut -d : -f 1)+${#SKIP_ME}+1))

dd if="${0}" bs=${skip_me} skip=1 2>/dev/null |bzcat

exit 0

### CT_NG SKIP ME ###