Residents demand accountability as Reps probe $460m FCT CCTV project

Residents of Abuja have called for accountability and transparency as the House of Representatives commenced a probe into the controversial $460 million Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Some residents who spoke with Abuja Metro yesterday expressed frustration over the absence of visible and functional surveillance infrastructure, despite the […]

Residents of Abuja have called for accountability and transparency as the House of Representatives commenced a probe into the controversial $460 million Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Some residents who spoke with Abuja Metro yesterday expressed frustration over the absence of visible and functional surveillance infrastructure, despite the huge investment aimed at boosting security.

A civil servant in Wuse, Musa Abdullahi, said the project has failed as the reality on ground has proved.

“We keep hearing about CCTV cameras in Abuja, but where are they? With the level of insecurity we face today, this project should have made a difference.

“We just want accountability,” Abdullahi added. “If the project failed, Nigerians deserve to know why,” he said.

Similarly, a trader in Nyanya, Mrs Ruth Daniel, questioned the impact of the initiative, describing it as a ‘white elephant project.”

“If such money was spent, we should feel safer. Instead, crimes still happen daily without any evidence of surveillance support,” she lamented.

Another resident in Gwarinpa, Emeka Okorie, described the situation as a “waste of public resources,” urging the lawmakers probing the project to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

“It is unacceptable that such a huge project cannot be accounted for. Nigerians deserve answers,” he said.

Bolaji Salau, a resident of Utako, urged the lawmakers to ensure that the ongoing probe is thoroughly carried out to a logical conclusion.

“A situation where lawmakers would start a probe only to abandon it along the line is unacceptable. They must ensure that they get to the root of the matter and ensure all those culpable are made to face justice.”

Reps move against further payments

Amid growing public outcry, the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee probing the project at the commencement of its hearing on Tuesday directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to suspend further disbursements to ZTE Corporation, the company that handled the project, pending satisfactory explanations on the execution of the contract.

The resolution followed what lawmakers described as inconsistencies, vague responses, and lack of transparency from officials of the company during an investigative hearing.

The committee also mandated ZTE to reappear with comprehensive documentation, including a full inventory of supplied equipment, exact deployment locations, and details of the

456 Nigerians reportedly trained to operate the system. 

Chairman of the committee, Donald Ojogo, said the probe was aimed at uncovering the truth behind the project amid public concerns.

“This is a constructive engagement, not an attempt to witch-hunt anyone. Nigerians deserve clear answers,” he said.

A motion leading to the resolution was moved by Ali Shettima and seconded by Kolawale Akinlayo.

Representing ZTE, Irene Momoh told lawmakers that the company executed the project in Abuja and Lagos between 2011 and 2012 but could not confirm its current operational status.

“To the best of our knowledge, the equipment was delivered and installed within the project timeline, but I cannot confirm its present operational status,” Momoh said.

His response drew sharp criticism from lawmakers, who questioned how such a major security infrastructure could lack continuity and maintenance.

Momoh attributed the decline of the system to lack of sustained funding by the government after handover.

“There was no continued funding from the government to maintain and run the system after handover,” he added.

However, the hearing exposed inconsistencies with lawmakers disputing claims about the locations of installed infrastructure.

A committee member, Iyawe Esosa, cited official records indicating installations in Edo State but insisted such facilities were not visible on ground.

“As someone who lives in Benin City, I can confidently say these facilities do not exist,” he said. 

Similarly, Akinlayo rejected claims of installations in Ekiti State, noting the absence of any visible infrastructure.

Tensions escalated when Momoh explained that he only assumed office in 2023 and could not account for some aspects of the project, a response lawmakers viewed as evasive.

A representative of the apex bank, Josiah Okike, disclosed that as of March 2026, the company was due to receive $15.37 million under the loan repayment arrangement, advising the committee to route its directive through the Office of the Accountant-General.

The committee has, however, insisted on further appearances by the company, demanding documentary proof of project handover and details of government agencies responsible for managing the infrastructure.

The CCTV project, initiated under former President Goodluck Jonathan, was designed to deploy thousands of cameras across major cities, including Abuja and Lagos, to enhance urban security.

Funded through a loan agreement with the Chinese government and executed by ZTE, the initiative was initially hailed as a major step toward tackling crime.

However, years after its reported completion, the project has remained largely invisible, with recurring concerns over poor maintenance, funding gaps, and alleged contractual irregularities.