Onanuga defends FG borrowing for infrastructure as Benue pledges 1m votes for Tinubu

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday defended the Federal Government’s borrowing, saying the funds were being channelled into critical infrastructure projects that would boost economic activities and improve connectivity across the country.

Speaking during the inspection of Federal and Benue State government projects by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team at the ongoing Buruku Bridge across the Katsina-Ala River in Benue State, Onanuga said the project was evidence that government borrowings were being put to productive use.

According to him, “This is a Federal Government project and this bridge, in particular, is the fifth bridge the Federal Government is building in Benue State.

“As Nigerians, we see that the government has been accused of so many things, including borrowing money. But we can see where the money is going to develop infrastructure, to link people who have been forgotten before and to ensure that commerce flows freely.

“Farmers can get their produce straight to the market. We can shorten travel time between one community and another, especially between rural areas and the capital.

“This bridge in Buruku is going to affect three states Benue, Taraba and Adamawa and link them together. It is going to be beneficial to everybody economically.”

Onanuga described the bridge as a magnificent project and disclosed that it was being financed through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund.

“I asked the controller whether there was any funding problem and he said there was none. They are being financed by the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, which means the funds are available and the project should be completed on schedule,” he added.

Also speaking, Benue State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, reiterated the state government’s commitment to delivering one million votes to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election in appreciation of what he described as landmark infrastructure projects executed by the Federal Government in the state.

Responding to questions on how Benue people intended to reward the President for the projects, Ode said the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia remained committed to fulfilling the pledge already made by the governor.

“We already have a pronouncement by the Benue State governor that the state will deliver one million votes to President Tinubu.

“It is my responsibility as the deputy governor to mobilise the people of the state in their large numbers, alongside other members of the State Executive Council, to ensure that we actualise the promise made by the governor,” he said.

Describing the Buruku Bridge as a golden gift to the people of Benue, the deputy governor said the project would end decades of hardship and recurring boat accidents that had claimed lives and property on the Katsina-Ala River.

He said the bridge would link Buruku, Logo, Katsina-Ala and Ukum Local Government Areas with neighbouring Taraba State, creating a strategic economic corridor between the North-Central and North-East.

“This river has consumed lives and property over the decades. There have been several boat mishaps across this river. This bridge is a major link road between Benue and Taraba State and will become a major economic hub in this sub-region,” he said.

Ode disclosed that the Benue State Government had fulfilled all its obligations regarding compensation payments and acquisition of the right of way to facilitate seamless execution of the project.

He also commended the contractor, SETRACO, for the quality and pace of work, noting that the bridge would ease the transportation of agricultural produce from the Sankera axis and Buruku, one of the state’s major yam-producing areas, to markets across the country.