Again, the House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the failed $460 million Closed Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
The decision of the House to launch another probe which was about the third time was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary one Wednesday by Hon. Amobi Ogah following the rising insecurity and loss of several lives in Abuja.
TheHintsNews reports that the Green Chamber launched similar probes during the 7th Assembly, 2015, 2019 and 2023 the outcome of which has never been made public.
Moving the motion, the lawmaker said the most important responsibilities of the government is the protection of lives and property as well as the entrenchment of security to engender good governance.
He said it was in furtherance of this and in the discharge of government obligations that the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, acting in good conscience, embarked on the CCTV cameras around strategic areas to monitor unwholesome activities with a view to preventing crime and placing surveillance on criminals and apprehending same.
Ogah added that 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.
He expressed worry 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.
Ogah noted that despite this huge investment as well as the financial burden Nigeria was subjected to by way of servicing the loan, the impact of the CCTV was not felt in any manner.
According to him, Rather than abating, crime rate has soared in Abuja leading to daily reports of deaths arising from unmonitored crimes around the Federal Capital.
He expressed worry that the current situation whereby Nigeria is paying heavily for this loan obtained from a Chinese bank to execute the non-functional CCTV contract undertaken curiously, also by a Chinese firm and contractor leaves the country in a lose-lose nightmare.
The House resolved, “To set up an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate this monumental financial investment without a commensurate result.”