The Ogun State government has denied reports that it stopped an ongoing road project along Paddy-Arikawe Oye Igbimo Road to settle political scores with the facilitator of the project.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the government described the report as “egregious falsehood,” stressing that the contractor, Minim and Tonye Nigeria Limited, was only asked to follow due process by obtaining the necessary approval from the state.
According to the statement, the road in question belongs to the state and had already been scheduled for repairs under Governor Abiodun’s administration. The government explained that the contractor was directed to apply formally, stating the scope of work to be carried out, so the state could adjust its plans accordingly.
It added that the directive was not an attempt to frustrate the project but a matter of procedure. “No one can carry out any repair work on a road without obtaining the necessary permission. This is the same reason state governments must seek approval from the Federal Government before working on federal roads,” the statement read.
The government also challenged the authors of the report to prove anything illegal in the letter signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Dr. Yusuf L.O., which directed the contractor to suspend operations until clearance was obtained.
Giving context, the statement recalled how the state government was previously denied permission to fix federal roads by the then Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, and noted that the current procedure of seeking approval has always been the norm.
It further cited a letter dated February 1, 2025, where former federal lawmaker, Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, sought state approval to construct four rural roads, including Sokanmade Road, Ewuga; Oko and Ada Road, Simawa; Itamaro to Ilara road; and Alhaja Ogunsanya Street, Irolu.
The government maintained that due process must be followed and urged the public to disregard reports suggesting political motives behind its directive.
