The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the $460 million Chinese loan obtained during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Amobi Ogah, representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, during Wednesday’s plenary.
Titled “Need to Investigate the Rising Insecurity and Loss of Lives in Abuja Despite the $460m CCTV Project,” the motion sought to revisit the failed surveillance project, which was meant to enhance security in the nation’s capital.
Ogah recalled that in 2010, the Federal Government secured the loan from China’s EXIM Bank to finance the project awarded to ZTE Communications of China. The former Finance Minister, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, had led the delegation to Beijing to sign the Memorandum of Understanding.
Despite the huge loan—part of a $600 million credit facility repayable over 10 years—the project was never completed. Yet, Nigeria continues to service the debt, a situation Ogah described as “a lose-lose nightmare,” given the persistent rise in insecurity across Abuja.
The lawmaker noted that both the 9th Assembly and a 2023 Federal High Court ruling had previously sought clarity on the project’s execution and expenditure. The then Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, admitted the loan was being serviced but failed to provide details.
Supporting the motion, Hon. Billy Osawaru from Edo State urged the House to “rise up to its oversight responsibilities,” while Hon. Ahmad Jaha of Borno State demanded a thorough investigation, questioning the feasibility and transparency of the project.
“The government is still repaying a loan for CCTV cameras that don’t exist. We must get to the root of this matter,” Jaha said.
Following deliberations, the House resolved to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the status of the CCTV project and report back with recommendations for further legislative action.
