Reps to probe $460m Abuja CCTV project amid rising insecurity

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the $460 million Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) project in Abuja, following rising insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) despite the huge investment. The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved on Tuesday by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah (Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Abia State), who expressed concern […]

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the $460 million Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) project in Abuja, following rising insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) despite the huge investment.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved on Tuesday by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah (Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Abia State), who expressed concern that the multi-million-dollar project, funded through a Chinese loan, has failed to deliver the intended security outcomes.

Ogah recalled that in 2010, the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan initiated the CCTV installation across strategic parts of Abuja to enhance surveillance, deter crime, and improve public safety.

He said the project was financed through a $460 million loan from the China EXIM Bank as part of a $600 million financing portfolio, with a 10-year grace period and another 10 years for repayment.

He noted that the contract for the project was awarded to ZTE Communications, a Chinese firm, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding led by the then Minister of Finance, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, in Beijing.

However, the lawmaker lamented that despite the huge financial commitment and years of repayment obligations, the CCTV infrastructure has remained largely non-functional.

“Rather than improving security, the situation in Abuja has deteriorated, with frequent reports of killings, abductions, and other violent crimes,” Ogah stated.

“It is disturbing that Nigeria continues to service this loan for a project that has yielded no tangible results, leaving the nation in a lose-lose situation,” he added.

Adopting the motion, the House resolved to mandate an ad hoc committee to investigate the implementation of the $460 million CCTV contract, determine the status of the project, and identify reasons for its failure to deliver on its objectives.

The committee is expected to report back to the House for further legislative action.