Reps begin probe into $460m Chinese loan for “non-functional” Abuja CCTV project

The House of Representatives has mandated an investigation into a $460 million Chinese loan, secured over a decade ago to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across Abuja, which has failed to enhance the capital’s security.

This decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Amobi Ogah, a member from Abia State, during Wednesday’s plenary. The motion highlighted the alarming rise of insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) despite the massive investment in the failed surveillance project.

The loan was originally obtained in 2010 by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The contract for the installation was awarded to ZTE Communications of China after a delegation led by then-Finance Minister, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Beijing.

Ogah informed the House that the funds were drawn from a $600 million soft credit facility from the China-EXIM Bank, with repayments structured over 10 years following an initial 10-year grace period.

He lamented that despite Nigeria servicing this financial burden, the impact of the CCTV project is non-existent.

“Despite this huge investment… the impact of the CCTV is not felt in any manner. Rather than abating, the crime rate has soared in Abuja,” Ogah stated.

He described the situation as a “lose-lose nightmare” for the country.

This is not the first time the project has faced legislative scrutiny. The 9th House of Representatives had questioned the Ministry of Finance on the project’s status in 2019, but the then-Minister, Zainab Ahmed, provided no clear details.

Furthermore, a 2023 court order compelled the Federal Government to disclose how the $460 million was spent.

Contributing to the debate, lawmakers expressed strong support for a thorough investigation. Billy Osawaru from Edo State urged the House to “ask tough questions,” while Ahmad Jaha from Borno State questioned the feasibility studies conducted for the project and emphasized the need to “get to the root of this matter,” especially given the nation’s current debt burden.

Consequently, the House resolved to constitute an ad-hoc committee to investigate the status of the CCTV project and report back for further legislative action.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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