By ……. “Where Are the Cameras?” :Lawmakers Question $460m CCTV Project as Insecurity Deepens in Abuja
The House of Representatives has expressed deep concern over the rising wave of insecurity and loss of lives in Abuja, despite the multi-million-dollar Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) project that was intended to improve surveillance and public safety within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The motion, moved by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah under matters of urgent public importance, drew the attention of lawmakers to what he described as a “national embarrassment” a situation where Nigeria continues to repay a $460 million Chinese loan for a non-functional security infrastructure.
According to Hon. Ogah, the CCTV project was initiated under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to curb insecurity in the FCT by monitoring criminal activities and ensuring timely intervention by security agencies. The project, he recalled, was facilitated by the then Minister of Finance, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, who led a Federal Government delegation to Beijing, China, in 2010 to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ZTE Communications, the Chinese firm awarded the contract.
The project was financed through a $460 million loan secured from the China EXIM Bank, drawn from a $600 million soft credit facility with a 10-year grace period and an additional 10-year repayment plan.
Despite this huge investment, Hon. Ogah lamented that the CCTV infrastructure has remained non-functional, while Abuja continues to grapple with increasing incidents of kidnapping, robbery, and violent attacks incidents the project was meant to prevent.
He further expressed worry that Nigeria continues to service the loan for a project that has failed to deliver any tangible result, describing it as a “lose-lose situation” for the country, as both public safety and public funds are at stake.
Following deliberations, the House resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the entire CCTV project, including the disbursement and utilization of funds, level of project execution, and the factors responsible for its failure. The Committee is expected to report back with its findings and recommendations for further legislative action.
The House’s decision underscores the growing concern among Nigerians over the misuse of foreign loans and the lack of accountability in government-funded security initiatives.
