THE Presidency has attributed the growing number of infrastructure and social development projects across the South-East to increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), saying the improved revenues have enabled states to execute major projects without resorting to bank loans.

The position was disclosed during the ongoing second round of the Presidential Media Tour of Projects in the South-East geopolitical zone, where members of the Presidential Media Team and journalists inspected federal and state government projects in Ebonyi State.

Speaking after touring several projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the visible transformation across the state was evidence that increased federal allocations were being channelled into productive ventures.

According to him, many of the projects currently being executed by state governments would have been difficult to undertake in the past without borrowing.

“We have seen the landmark projects the state government is executing and it is a reflection that all the funds the federal government is giving the states are deployed into productivity.

“After collecting FAAC, we can see that the state governments are considering and undertaking projects that would have been impossible before now,” Onanuga noted.

He added that governors now have greater financial capacity to invest in critical sectors such as education, healthcare and infrastructure without relying heavily on commercial bank loans.

“Many of them don’t have to go to the banks to borrow money to develop their states in education, health, infrastructure, among others,” he said.

The presidential aide also praised President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development, citing the ongoing Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue Trans-Saharan Highway project as an example of the administration’s ambition.

“Look at the Trans-Sahara roads conceived during the colonial era that he is audaciously embarking on now. He thinks deep before implementation. He is a thinker and a doer considering what we are seeing in every part of the country,” Onanuga stated.

The comments come amid a significant increase in FAAC distributions to states following fiscal reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, including the removal of fuel subsidy.

Monthly allocations to states have risen sharply compared to the previous administration, providing sub-national governments with more resources for development projects.

Also speaking during the tour, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said the projects inspected in Ebonyi reflected how state governments were aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda through investments in infrastructure, housing and social services.

Dare described a three-level tunnel project under construction in Abakaliki as one of the most impressive projects he had seen.

“The first one is a mind blower. I’ve not seen anything like that anywhere in the country. A three-level tunnel,” he said.

He also commended the state’s investment in housing, noting that addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit remains a major component of the Federal Government’s development agenda.

According to him, the projects being executed in Ebonyi demonstrate how increased resources can be translated into visible development when properly managed.

Responding to criticisms that little development was taking place in the South-East, Dare said the ongoing media tour was intended to showcase tangible evidence of government performance.

“It’s about hard evidence. It’s about data. And that’s why we’re even on this tour, to really show clearly that seeing is believing,” he said.

Among the projects inspected was the Senator Chris Nwankwo Housing Estate in Abakaliki, a 140-unit housing scheme being developed by the Ebonyi State Government.

The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Francis Ori, said the project was being fully funded by the state government without borrowing and would be allocated free of charge to beneficiaries.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without borrowing from the bank, but the Ebonyi State Government is doing it without borrowing from the bank,” Ori said.

He disclosed that the estate, valued at over N6.2 billion, comprises 140 four-bedroom duplexes and is nearing completion.

The commissioner also showcased the Izzo-Amaeze Housing Estate in Ishielu Local Government Area, a housing project designed for victims displaced by communal conflict in the area.

According to him, the twin estates, consisting of 140 three-bedroom bungalows, are being completed alongside supporting infrastructure such as roads, water supply and electricity before allocation to beneficiaries.

Ori expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru for creating the enabling environment that made the projects possible.

The Presidential Media Tour, organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team, is expected to continue in Enugu, Abia, Anambra and Imo states, where additional federal and state government projects will be inspected.