Paddy–Arikawe Road: Ogun Halts Construction, Warns Contractors Against Substandard Work
The Ogun State Government has restated its firm resolve not to compromise construction standards on any of its infrastructure projects, warning contractors handling Government jobs to strictly comply with approved specifications or risk having their contracts suspended or revoked.
The warning followed a stop-work order issued by the Ogun State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure on Monday, December 15, to Slavabogu Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the reconstruction of the Paddy–Arikawe Road located in the G.R.A. area of Sagamu, Ogun State.
The Paddy–Arikawe Road project, which spans 3.39 kilometres and is being executed by the Ogun State Government, had previously attracted a similar stop-work directive.
Phase One of the road, a 260-metre constituency project initiated by the senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Gbenga Daniel, was halted after the contractor failed to adhere to the approved construction specifications.
The state Government explained that information obtained on the initial proposal of the project by the Ogun East senator revealed that it could take the Federal Government between six and seven years to address the remaining portions of the road, as Phases Two, Three and Four were only proposals.
To ease the suffering of residents and fast-track development in the area, the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun decided to award the remaining phases of the road for immediate execution.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the government disclosed that the latest stop-work order followed a report received by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure from the resident engineer supervising the project.
The report indicated that the contractor had commenced drainage construction using singly reinforced steel instead of the doubly reinforced steel specified in the contract agreement.
According to the statement, the contractor was immediately served an official stop-work order on the same day and was directed to demolish all existing concrete bases, remove all the reinforcement steel already installed—since the drainage walls had not yet been cast—and reconstruct the drainage using doubly reinforced steel and Grade 30 concrete, in full compliance with contractual specifications.
Akinmade said the decision was driven by safety considerations and the government’s commitment to delivering durable and high-quality infrastructure for the people of Ogun State.
“The Dapo Abiodun administration is fully committed to the delivery of quality roads that will stand the test of time,” he said. “The letter addressed to the contractor handling the reconstruction of the Paddy–Arikawe Road by the Permanent Secretary of the Ogun State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure was informed by serious safety concerns.
The Ministry observed significant non-compliance with the reinforcement detailing for the drainage construction works, which clearly do not conform to the specifications contained in the contract documents.”
He further warned that the State Government would not tolerate any form of shoddy workmanship capable of endangering lives or wasting public resources.
“In view of this development, the Ogun State Government hereby warns all contractors handling State His projects to follow specifications religiously, as there is no room for substandard work that would compromise the safety and wellbeing of Ogun citizens,” Akinmade added.
