According to the Ogun State government, the current administration, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, did not receive N37 billion from the Federal Government as compensation for costs associated with road projects completed by the State's previous administration.
It argued that the aforementioned funds were handled and acquired by the most recent administration as reimbursement for State government expenses incurred on FG highways.
The money wasn't given to the Governor Abiodun-led administration, as some online news outlets falsely claimed.
However, in response to the report, the State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, explained in a Statement that the final payment on the Federal Government road refund programme was made before the current administration took office as all attempts to recover additional road refunds from the FG have failed to materialise.
"For the FG road refund to the State, a total of N37 billion was given to the immediately preceding administration in two tranches of N15 billion and N22 billion each in FG Treasury Note instruments.
"The first Treasury Note of N15 billion issued in December 2018 was discounted in January 2019 for N10 billion, and the second Treasury Note of N22 billion was discounted for N17 billion during the first quarter of 2019," Okubadejo said. "As a result, the State incurred total financial charges of about N10 billion."
He cautioned journalists to constantly double-check their facts before rushing to publish, while emphasising that the explanation was required to clear up the records.
The current government, according to Okubadejo, is open and honest, which is why it has always disclosed its annual audited financial statements as soon as was necessary.