President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday in Osogbo, flagged off N114.9 billion Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road project, with a completion period of 24 months, and awarded to Messrs Peculiar Concern Limited.

He also flagged off the reconstruction of Gbongan-Osogbo Road project, which was awarded at the cost of N101.8 billion to Messrs Trucrete Solutions Limited, expected to be completed within 24 months.

Tinubu, while speaking during the flag-off, represented by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, hinted that the road projects marked a clear commitment to connect people, unlock opportunities, and restore confidence in public infrastructure.

According to him, these projects are very critical components of the Federal Government’s road infrastructure development programme aimed at enhancing connectivity, improving road safety, and stimulating socio-economic activities along the corridor to enable farmers move goods faster, and making children get to schools more safely.

The President further said that Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road, which is approximately 82 kilometres is in terrible condition, originating from Dele Yes-Sir Roundabout, Osogbo, traversing various agricultural belt of Osun and Oyo states, as well as serving as a shortest route from Osogbo to Ibadan.

Meanwhile, in their separate remarks during the flag-off, Minister of Works, David Umahi; Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and the lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Francis Fadahunsi, urged the people to vote massively for the candidate of the in the August 15 gubernatorial polls, Bola Oyebamiji.

HOWEVER, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has defended Tinubu’s borrowing policy, saying visible infrastructure projects across states justify the administration’s decision to raise funds for development.

Onanuga spoke, yesterday, during the presidential media tour of projects in Benue State, where he said ongoing investments in roads and bridges demonstrate that borrowed funds are being channelled into infrastructure capable of boosting economic activities, improving connectivity and opening up previously isolated communities.

The media tour, organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), in collaboration with the presidential media team, is designed to showcase federal and state projects being executed under President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

The delegation inspected several projects, including the Buruku Bridge across the Katsina-Ala River, the Abuja-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi-9th Mile Highway, the Wurukum Flyover, the High Level Underpass in Makurdi, the Food Basket Brewery and the Gboko Township Underpass.

Onanuga’s remarks come against the backdrop of sustained criticism from opposition politicians and some economic experts over the Federal Government’s borrowing.

The Federal Controller of Works in Benue State, Mukaila Danlandi, said the 854-metre dual carriage bridge commenced in 2023 and is expected to be completed by December 2027.

Also, Benue State Deputy Governor, Dr Samuel Ode, described the bridge as a landmark intervention that would permanently end decades of dangerous crossings on the Katsina-Ala River.