The House of Representatives on Wednesday began an investigation into the $460 million Chinese loan obtained by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to procure and install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at strategic locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for enhanced security.
This resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance raised by the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State, Amobi Ogah, during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Ogah stated that the growing insecurity in the nation’s capital had made it necessary to revisit the project.
It will be recalled that in 2010, the Federal Government obtained a $460 million loan to install CCTV cameras in Abuja. However, the project was reportedly never completed.
In 2019, the 9th House of Representatives, through its Committee on Finance, questioned the Ministry of Finance over the status of the project and the failure to implement it.
At the time, then Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, told the Committee that the loan was still being serviced but did not provide details on the project’s execution.
In 2023, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Federal Government to disclose details of how the $460 million was spent, following a suit filed by the Socio-Economic and Accountability Project.
Speaking further on his motion, Ogah said the Jonathan administration, acting in good faith, had initiated the project to combat insecurity in Abuja by installing CCTV cameras at key points to monitor suspicious activities, deter crime, and aid law enforcement in tracking offenders.
He added, “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.”
Ogah further noted, “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.”
He lamented that despite the significant financial investment and the ongoing repayment of the loan, there had been no visible outcome from the CCTV project.
According to him, the impact of the CCTV installation has not been felt in any form. Instead, the crime rate in Abuja has continued to rise, resulting in frequent reports of deaths and crimes occurring without surveillance.
The lawmaker also expressed concern that the nation continues to pay heavily for a loan obtained to finance a non-functional CCTV project, executed by the same Chinese firm that received the contract, describing it as a “lose-lose nightmare.”
Contributing to the debate, a lawmaker from Edo State, Billy Osawaru, urged his colleagues to uphold their legislative responsibilities by demanding accountability.
“The House must commit to carrying out good oversight for the good of Nigerians. We must discourage bad behaviour,” he said.
Similarly, Ahmad Jaha, who represents Gwoza/Damboa/Chibok Federal Constituency in Borno State, called for a comprehensive investigation into the multi-million-dollar project.
“I don’t know the kind of feasibility study they carried out. A lot of money was spent to procure CCTVs, but they are nowhere to be found. If you look at the fact that the present government is paying a lot of debt, you will agree that we need to get to the root of this matter,” he said.
