Abuja, Nigeria — The House of Representatives has launched a formal probe into a US$460 million Chinese-backed loan tied to the Abuja CCTV surveillance project after persistent concerns that the system has failed to deliver expected security gains despite years of implementation. Lawmakers moved on a motion flagged as a matter of urgent national importance and assigned the Committees on National Security & Intelligence, Finance and Public Accounts to investigate contract awards, implementation progress and financial accountability.
During proceedings legislators raised questions about why significant repayments have been made while the CCTV network remains largely non-functional in many parts of the Federal Capital Territory. Witnesses to be called will include representatives of the contractor originally engaged for installation, FCT officials who supervised the project, and officials from the Finance and Bank of Industry units involved in related disbursements. The committee will also seek documentation of procurement processes and technical handover certificates.
The inquiry will examine whether the scope of work agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding and subsequent contracts matches what was delivered on the ground, and whether funds were used for other purposes. The House signalled it will pursue recoveries, sanctions or contract renegotiation if misprocurement or mismanagement is established. Lawmakers stressed that restoring public confidence in state-funded security infrastructure is an immediate priority.
Stakeholders and civil society groups have welcomed the probe but urged it to move swiftly and transparently. They called for public hearings, release of key contract documents and periodic updates so that the investigation yields concrete recommendations — from technical remedial measures to legal action where necessary — and to ensure Abuja residents derive the safety benefits for which the loan was secured.
