The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the $460 million Chinese loan obtained by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan for the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across strategic locations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Amobi Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, during Wednesday’s plenary session.
The motion, titled “Need to Investigate the Rising Insecurity and Loss of Several Lives in Abuja Despite the $460 Million CCTV Project,” highlighted the worsening security situation in the FCT despite the multi-million dollar surveillance initiative.
Ogah recalled that the 9th House of Representatives, in 2019, through its Committee on Finance, had questioned the Ministry of Finance on the status of the CCTV project and why it remained unexecuted despite the ongoing loan repayment.
At the time, then-Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, confirmed that Nigeria was servicing the loan but failed to provide specific details about the project’s implementation.
In 2023, the 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).
Ogah noted that the project was conceived by the Jonathan administration in 2010 to enhance security and curb criminal activities in Abuja.
To actualize the initiative, then-Minister of Finance, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, led a federal delegation to Beijing, China, where an agreement was signed with ZTE Communications of China, which was awarded the contract for the CCTV installation.
He explained that the project was financed through a $460 million loan obtained from China Exim Bank as part of a $600 million soft credit facility, repayable over 10 years after an initial 10-year grace period.
However, Ogah lamented that despite the heavy financial commitment and the loan repayment burden on Nigeria, the CCTV system has remained non-functional, even as insecurity in Abuja has worsened.
“Rather than reducing crime, the situation has deteriorated, with rising reports of killings and other unmonitored crimes across the city,” he said.
He added that Nigeria is now in a “lose-lose situation,” paying off a massive debt for a project handled by a Chinese firm that has yielded no visible results.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Billy Osawaru from Edo State urged lawmakers to uphold their oversight responsibilities and demand accountability.
“The House must rise to its duties for the good of Nigerians. We must discourage bad governance and ensure transparency in project execution,” he said.
Also contributing, Hon. Ahmed Jaha, who represents Gwoza/Damboa/Chibok Federal Constituency of Borno State, called for a comprehensive probe into the failed project.
“I don’t understand the kind of feasibility study carried out. Huge sums were spent to procure CCTV cameras, yet none are working. With the current debt situation of the country, we must get to the root of this,” he stated.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House resolved to constitute an ad-hoc committee to investigate the project’s status and submit its findings for further legislative action.
