Revisiting the FCT CCTV project

Since the closure of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) $500 million Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) project, awarded during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, little has been heard about the fate of the ambitious initiative. The project, designed to enhance security and public safety in the nation’s capital, was aimed at curbing the rising tide of insecurity, but it remains in a state of limbo, with no clear explanation for its abandonment.

The contract, which was awarded to Chinese telecommunications company ZTE and financed through a loan from China, was seen as a vital step in tackling insecurity in the country. However, despite the fact that the loan is regularly being serviced through Nigeria’s national budget, the project has been left unfinished, and no official statements have been made about its suspension or cancellation.

The question on the minds of many Nigerians is: Why was such a critical project abandoned, particularly at a time when insecurity is escalating in the country?

The Senate, in a recent session, directed the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the suspension or abandonment of the CCTV project. However, as of now, no feedback has been provided on the outcome of this directive. Prior to this, the House of Representatives, through its Committee on Finance, had also raised concerns over the abrupt halt to the project, especially considering that the loan for its financing continues to be paid off from the national budget.

Despite these efforts, there has been no visible action or progress on the matter, leaving Nigerians frustrated and searching for answers.

The abandonment of the CCTV project is particularly concerning at a time when the nation’s fight against insurgency, banditry, and other forms of criminality continues unabated. The CCTV system was meant to be a key tool in tracking and deterring criminal activity, providing authorities with real-time surveillance data that could be crucial for preventing and solving crimes. Given the mounting security challenges, many wonder why such an important project was allowed to die on the drawing board.

The logical course of action would have been for the project to be completed successfully and, if possible, expanded to other parts of the country. This would not only have helped improve security in the FCT but could have been a model for other states grappling with similar security concerns. Instead, the project was left to gather dust, raising suspicions about the motivations behind its suspension.

As Nigerians continue to demand answers, Nigerian NewsDirect joins the call for all parties involved in the suspension of the CCTV project to take responsibility and ensure the completion of the project. The significant sum of $500 million has already been expended on the project, and it is only right that the Nigerian people see results for their investment.

There is simply no justifiable reason to abandon such a project, particularly when the country’s security situation is growing more dire by the day. Even worse, the Nigerian taxpayer is still footing the bill for the loan, with no clear benefit to show for it.

It is time for the National Assembly to take decisive action. The standing and ad-hoc committees that were previously tasked with investigating the project must submit their findings, and the reports should be made public. Transparency is key in ensuring that those responsible for the suspension or abandonment of the project are held accountable.

In addition, anti-graft agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) should intensify their investigations into the CCTV project to uncover any corruption or mismanagement that may have led to its abandonment.

The successful economies of Asia, often referred to as the “Asian Tigers,” are known for their commitment to combating corruption and holding public officials accountable. In these nations, corrupt politicians and officials are pursued even after their tenure, with little tolerance for mismanagement or neglect of public projects.

If Nigeria is to be regarded as a ‘tiger’ among the nations of the world, it must take a page from Asia’s book and hold those responsible for the abandonment of critical infrastructure projects accountable. The key to this is political will—a commitment to doing things differently and ensuring that actions have consequences.

It is time for us to change approach and demand results from our leaders. If the country is to expect different outcomes, it must start by doing things differently. Only then will Nigerians begin to see the meaningful change they desperately need.

The abandonment of the FCT CCTV project is a glaring example of mismanagement and neglect, especially when viewed against the backdrop of Nigeria’s worsening security crisis. The lack of clarity surrounding the project’s suspension, coupled with the continued servicing of the loan, underscores the need for greater accountability in government. Nigerians are waiting for answers—and they deserve them. It is time for the government to act swiftly, conclude the project, and ensure that the resources already invested in it are not wasted.

For once, let the system work, and let those responsible for this debacle face the consequences of their actions.