Lawmakers of the Nigeria House of Representatives has launched a new investigation into the controversial $460 million CCTV project initiated under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
The project, meant to enhance security across the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has remained uncompleted more than a decade after the funds were secured.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Amobi Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.
He said the rising insecurity in Abuja makes it necessary to revisit what he described as a “failed national security project.”
According to him, the Jonathan-led government in 2010 approved the installation of CCTV cameras across strategic areas in the capital city to curb crime and improve surveillance.
“In order to firm up the above, erstwhile Finance Minister, Dr Olusegun Aganga, led a Federal Government delegation to Beijing, China in 2010 to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with ZTE Communications of China, to which the contract for the installation of the CCTV was equally awarded,” he said.
Ogah added that the project was funded through a $460 million loan from the China-EXIM Bank, part of a $600 million credit facility with a 10-year grace period before repayment.
Despite the financial burden, he lamented that there is no visible impact of the CCTV system across the FCT.
“The House is concerned that the funds for the contract were secured through a $460m loan obtained from the China-EXIM Bank and lifted from a $600m financing portfolio secured as a soft credit loan, with interest repayable in 10 years, after an initial 10 years of grace,” Ogah said.
He further stated that Abuja continues to face frequent cases of robbery, kidnapping, and other crimes, despite the billions already spent.
“The situation, which has seen Nigeria paying heavily for the loan obtained from a Chinese bank to execute the non-functional CCTV contract undertaken curiously, also by a Chinese firm and contractor, leaves the country in a lose-lose nightmare,” he added.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Billy Osawaru from Edo State urged lawmakers to strengthen their oversight responsibilities.
“The House must commit to carrying out good oversight for the good of Nigerians. We must discourage bad behaviour,” he said.
Also speaking, Hon. Ahmad Jaha, representing Gwoza/Damboa/Chibok Federal Constituency in Borno State, demanded a full investigation to uncover what went wrong.
“A lot of money was spent to procure CCTVs, but they are nowhere to be found,” he noted.
However, this is not the first time the National Assembly is probing the failed CCTV project. In 2019, the 9th House queried the Ministry of Finance over the same matter, but no clear answers were provided.
Recall that in May 2023, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Federal Government to disclose full details of how the $460 million was spent, following a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
