The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the $460 million Chinese loan obtained by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010 for the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in key areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The project was intended to boost security in Abuja but was never executed.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Amobi Ogah, who represents the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State. His motion, titled “Need to investigate the rising insecurity and loss of several lives in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, despite the CCTV project secured with a Chinese loan of $460m,” noted that the continued insecurity in the FCT makes it necessary to revisit the failed project.
In 2010, the Jonathan administration secured the loan from China’s EXIM Bank as part of a $600 million credit facility, with repayment terms spanning 10 years after a 10-year grace period. The project was awarded to Chinese firm ZTE Communications. However, despite the loan being serviced, there is no evidence of functioning CCTV infrastructure in Abuja.
The 9th House of Representatives in 2019 had questioned the Ministry of Finance over the project’s status. Then-Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, confirmed that Nigeria was servicing the loan but failed to explain how the funds were used. 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 Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
During Wednesday’s debate, Ogah lamented that despite the heavy financial burden, the CCTV system has not improved security in Abuja, where crime continues to rise. He described the situation as a “lose-lose nightmare” for Nigeria, given that the country continues to repay a loan for a non-functional project.
Supporting the motion, lawmakers Billy Osawaru from Edo State and Ahmad Jaha from Borno State both called for a thorough probe. Osawaru stressed the need for strong legislative oversight, while Jaha questioned the feasibility and transparency of the entire project.
The House subsequently agreed to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the project’s implementation and report back with recommendations for further legislative action.