The Ogun State Government has ordered an immediate stop to construction work on the Paddy-Arikawe Road in the Sagamu Government Reserved Area, warning that it will not tolerate substandard execution on any state-funded infrastructure project.
The directive was issued on Monday, December 15, by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to Slavabogu Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the reconstruction of the 3.39-kilometre road. The government said the action underscores its resolve to ensure strict adherence to approved specifications in all road projects across the state.
The Paddy-Arikawe Road had previously attracted a stop-work order during Phase One — a 260-metre constituency project facilitated by the senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, after the contractor failed to comply with construction standards. The state government later intervened and awarded Phases Two to Four to alleviate the prolonged hardship faced by residents, noting that earlier proposals indicated it could take the Federal Government between six and seven years to complete the remaining sections.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said the latest stop-work order followed a report from the resident engineer that the contractor had commenced drainage construction using singly reinforced steel instead of the doubly reinforced steel stipulated in the contract.
He said the contractor was directed to immediately demolish the existing concrete bases, remove all reinforcement steel and reconstruct the drainage with doubly reinforced steel using Grade 30 concrete, as specified.
“The Dapo Abiodun administration is fully committed to the delivery of quality roads that will stand the test of time,” Akinmade said. “The letter issued to the contractor by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, was informed by safety considerations arising from observed non-compliance with reinforcement detailing for the drainage works.”
He added that the government has warned all contractors handling state projects to adhere strictly to specifications, stressing that there would be no tolerance for shoddy work capable of endangering lives or compromising public safety.
