Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has dismissed claims that he was responsible for the relocation of the Dangote Refinery from Ogun State to Lagos, insisting the decision was taken before he assumed office.

The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the proposed Deep Sea Port in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, saying the project remains on course.

Abiodun made the remarks during the commissioning of the six-kilometre Stadium–Luba–Tam Balogun Road in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area.

“We are working tirelessly on our port project. The Deep Sea Port is on course, and Ogun State will have one of the deepest and longest ports in Sub-Saharan Africa, if not the entire continent.

“It will boast the longest berth in Sub-Saharan Africa. Very soon, we will unveil full details of the project,” he said.

The governor also disclosed that oil exploration and drilling activities have commenced in Eba, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, as part of efforts to make Ogun an oil-producing state.

He said the state had long possessed oil deposits but that meaningful progress towards commercial production was only being achieved under his administration.

Responding to criticism over the Dangote Refinery, Abiodun said he made efforts to retain the project in Ogun but blamed previous administrations for its relocation.

“A few days ago, I saw reports on social media claiming that just as Dapo Abiodun allowed the refinery project to leave Ogun State, he has also abandoned the Deep Sea Port project.

“First, was I the governor when the refinery was moved to Lagos? If anything, I did everything within my capacity to retain the refinery in Ogun State, but others, through their irresponsibility, allowed the project to slip away,” he said.

The governor highlighted several projects undertaken by his administration in Ogun East Senatorial District, including the federal takeover of Tai Solarin University of Education, the development of the Dry Port, ongoing oil exploration and the reconstruction of the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode Expressway.

He added that more than 26 roads had been completed in Ijebu-Ode, with 12 additional road projects currently under construction.

Abiodun urged residents to protect the newly commissioned road by avoiding indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels, noting that the infrastructure was funded with public resources and would boost economic activities in the area.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, said the road project, which features reinforced concrete drains, kerbs and road markings, reflects the administration’s commitment to durable infrastructure.

Other speakers at the event, including Chief Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance Dapo Okubadejo, Chairman of the Ogun State Elders Council Olusegun Okuboyejo, Ijebu-Ode Local Government Chairman Dare Alebiosu and the Elese of Ilese, Oba Obayomi Olufemi, commended the governor for ongoing development projects across the state.