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

Onanuga spoke on Thursday 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.

Since assuming office in May 2023, the Tinubu administration has secured fresh domestic and external loans to finance infrastructure, bridge budget deficits and support economic reforms.

Government officials, however, have repeatedly argued that the increase in Nigeria’s public debt stock also reflects the depreciation of the naira, which raised the value of existing foreign loans when converted to local currency, rather than fresh borrowings alone.

Speaking after inspecting the Buruku Bridge project, Onanuga said the projects provided a practical response to those questioning the administration’s borrowing strategy.

“As Nigerians, we see that the government has been accused of borrowing money. But we can also see where the money is going; to develop infrastructure, link people who had been forgotten, ensure commerce flows freely and enable farmers to move their produce straight to the markets,” he said.

He noted that the Buruku Bridge is one of five bridges currently under construction by the Federal Government in Benue State and would significantly improve movement between Benue, Taraba and Adamawa states.

According to him, the bridge will shorten travel time between rural communities and urban centres while creating a strategic economic corridor linking the North-Central and North-East.

He also expressed satisfaction with the pace of work after officials informed the delegation that funding was not a challenge because the project is being financed through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund.

“This project is going to be beneficial to everybody economically,” Onanuga added.

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

He explained that all the substructures, including piles, pile caps and piers, had been completed, while precast beams were ready for installation once the water level drops after the rainy season.

“There is no funding problem. The project is under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund,” Danlandi said.

He added that compensation issues which initially slowed work had been resolved following the intervention of the Benue State Government.

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.

He recalled that the river had claimed many lives over the years through repeated boat mishaps, describing the project as “a golden gift to the people of Benue State.”

According to him, the bridge links Buruku, Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum local government areas before extending into Taraba State, making it a vital transport corridor for agricultural produce.

He said the project would particularly benefit Sankera, regarded as Benue’s major yam-producing belt, by providing direct access for trucks transporting yams and other food crops to markets across southern Nigeria.

“This particular bridge is a very important connecting road between the North-Central and the North-East. It is going to become a major economic hub in this sub-region,” Ode said.

For residents, the impact of the project is already being felt.

An indigene and iron bender working on the bridge, Ilakyaa Keghtor, said over 50 youths from the host community had secured employment on the construction site.

“Many of us now have jobs here. When the bridge is completed, we will no longer experience the frequent boat accidents that have claimed many lives,” he said.

The media team also inspected the High Level Underpass in Makurdi, a Benue State Government project designed to decongest one of the state’s busiest traffic intersections.

Ode said the interchange connects four major arterial roads, including routes leading to the Government House, Central Business District and ongoing federal highway projects.

He attributed the state’s expanding infrastructure programme to increased allocations from the Federation Account and prudent management by the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

“What you see here today is a manifestation of the prudent utilisation and frugal application of the funds coming from the Federation Account,” he said.

Director of Civil Engineering in the Benue Ministry of Works, Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Abraham Wombo, said the first phase of the project was executed at a cost of about N6.9 billion.

He said the underpass had substantially reduced traffic congestion and road crashes previously recorded at the junction.

“The gridlock has been reduced significantly, while accident cases have dropped drastically,” Wombo said.

The delegation also visited the ongoing Wurukum Flyover and dual carriageway linking Makurdi with the Renewed Hope Estate.

Ode said the 20-kilometre dual carriageway forms part of a broader urban renewal programme being implemented by the Benue State Government.

Beyond roads, he said the government had revived Taraku Mills, established a fruit concentrate factory and completed the Food Basket Brewery as part of efforts to stimulate industrial growth and create jobs.

“We are not concentrating only on urban infrastructure. We are equally investing in projects that directly improve the lives of our people,” he said.

The team also inspected the N15 billion Food Basket Brewery located along the Makurdi-Gboko Road, where ZEVA Premium Lager Beer and ZEVA Premium Malt are now being produced.

The delegation further visited the Gboko Township Underpass, where residents said the project had significantly reduced road accidents and improved traffic flow within the town.