By Peter Omopo
The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the $460 million Chinese loan secured by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan for the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) — a project that has remained largely unexecuted more than a decade later.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Amobi Ogah (Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, 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 $460m CCTV Project Secured with a Chinese Loan,” questioned why the project failed despite Nigeria’s continued servicing of the loan.
Ogah noted that in 2010, the Federal Government entered into a $460 million loan agreement with the China-EXIM Bank to finance the installation of CCTV cameras in Abuja through ZTE Communications, a Chinese technology firm. The contract was intended to bolster security surveillance and deter crime in the nation’s capital.
However, more than 14 years later, Ogah lamented that there is no visible evidence of the CCTV infrastructure in Abuja, even as insecurity continues to rise.
“Despite the heavy financial commitment Nigeria continues to bear in servicing this loan, the impact of the CCTV project is not felt. Instead, crime rates in Abuja have worsened,” he said.
He further described the situation as a “lose-lose nightmare,” noting that both the financing and execution of the project were handled by Chinese institutions, yet the outcome remains unfulfilled.
Records show that the 9th House of Representatives had, in 2019, queried the Ministry of Finance about the loan status. The then Minister, Zainab Ahmed, confirmed that Nigeria was servicing the loan but failed to disclose specific details about the project’s implementation.
In 2023, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Federal Government to make public how the $460 million was spent following a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Billy Osawaru (Edo State) urged lawmakers to uphold their oversight responsibilities, stressing the need for transparency.
“We must ask tough questions and discourage bad governance. Nigerians deserve accountability,” Osawaru said.
Similarly, Hon. Ahmad Jaha (Gwoza/Damboa/Chibok Federal Constituency, Borno State) called for a comprehensive probe, questioning the feasibility studies and execution of the project.
“A lot of money was spent, yet no CCTV cameras can be found. With the government still repaying debts, we must get to the root of this matter,” Jaha added.
Following extensive deliberation, the House resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the status of the CCTV project, the terms of the Chinese loan, and all related financial transactions. The committee is expected to submit its report for further legislative action.
The investigation comes amid heightened insecurity in Abuja, with lawmakers insisting that the outcome must ensure accountability, transparency, and lessons for future infrastructure agreements.
