Ogun State Government has insisted that it will not compromise on quality, nor allow substandard projects to be executed within the state, adding that residents deserve roads that stand the test of time, not propaganda-driven distractions.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Media & Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, stated this on Wednesday, while dismissing claims that Governor Dapo Abiodun is insisting on unusually strict technical standards for the Paddy Arikawe Oye-Igbimo Road in Sagamu.

Recall that the road is a constituency project proposed by Senator Gbenga Daniel, who represents Ogun East senatorial district.

Akinmade argued that the specifications and requirements given to the contractor, Minim and Tonye Nigeria Limited, the contractor, are the same applied to all state road projects and intended to safeguard public safety.

He noted that the drainage and concrete pavement design were discovered to have failed in meeting Federal Ministry of Works (FMW) standards only after the contractor submitted the project drawings and its observations were made known to the contractor through a letter dated 22nd September 2025, asking it to make necessary corrections and re-submit for approval accordingly.

Part of statement reads: “It is pertinent to state that whenever Ogun State Government wants to work on any FG road, it is statutory and mandatory that we must get necessary clearance from the Federal Ministry of Works and this had been the practice since the beginning of the previous administration.

“In line with this, the Federal Government also requests for our drawings, specification and any other documents relating to the projects which we have always obliged them before they give us the approval to commence such projects.

The statement added that after going through the documents submitted by the contractor, the government discovered that the Contractor intends to construct 300m out of the entire stretch of 3000m, which represents 10% of the whole road Project, but the Ogun State Ministry of Works had earlier carried out palliative work up to the stone base level on some parts of this project, while the design work for the entire stretch is already at the final stage of execution.

“The directive by the Ogun State Ministry of Works is not an “interference” in a federal initiative, as mischievously alleged, but a responsible and necessary step, rooted in his constitutional duty to safeguard the interests of the people of Ogun State.

“The Ogun State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure identified clear technical shortcomings in the contractor’s proposal, and dragging Mr. President into this matter is a needless distraction.

“Pray, what does the Presidency have to do with a contractor’s failure to meet acceptable technical standards? This is simply an old-fashioned ploy by the OGD media team to divert attention from the substance of the issues raised.

“How can anyone describe the Ogun State Government’s insistence on higher grade concrete, stronger stone base layers, reinforced tensile strength, and full compliance with Federal Ministry of Works standards as political if not for sinister motives?

“The Ogun State Government will not compromise on quality, nor will it allow substandard projects to be executed within the State. The people of Ogun deserve roads that stand the test of time, not propaganda-driven distractions.

“The antics of the OGD media team will not succeed. The facts remain clear, and the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun remains committed to transparency, accountability, and lasting development for all.”