The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the “failed” $460 million closed-circuit television (CCTV) project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The green chamber passed the resolution during Wednesday’s
plenary following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Amobi Ogah, lawmaker
representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency of Abia state.
In 2010, the project was awarded to ZTE Corporation, a
Chinese firm.
The contract involved a payment of 15 percent by the federal
government and 85 percent by the Chinese EXIM Bank — to be repaid within 10
years at prevailing interest rates.
In 2019, the house of representatives committee on finance
tackled the ministry of finance for continuing to service the loan despite the
project’s failure.
THE MOTION
Moving the motion, Ogah said despite the “huge investment
and the financial burden” of servicing the loan, the CCTV project has yielded
no visible results, as insecurity continues to rise across the FCT.
“Rather than abating, the crime rate has soared in Abuja,
leading to daily reports of deaths arising from unmonitored crimes around the
federal capital,” he said.
Supporting the motion, Ahmed Jaha, a lawmaker from Borno,
criticised the project, describing it as a “poorly executed” and “wasteful
initiative”.
He added that no proper feasibility study was conducted
before installation, leaving the cameras unsecured and vulnerable to sabotage.
The motion was adopted when Benjamin Kalu, the deputy
speaker, subjected it to a voice vote.
Consequently, the house set up an ad hoc committee to
investigate the “monumental financial investment” that has yielded no
corresponding results.
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