Again, Reps to probe $470m CCTV contract

Again, the house of representatives on Thursday expressed readiness to probe the failed $470 million Closed Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) contracts in Lagos and Abuja.

The house directed an ad-hoc committee to probe the uncompleted projects, awarded to Chinese firm, ZTE Corporation in 2010 following the failure to act on the report of the previous probe panel of the 7th assembly.

James Faleke of Ikeja constituency and Adesegun Adekoya of Ijebu north/Ijebu east/Ogun waterside federal constituency moved a fresh motion seeking another investigation.

ZTE was contracted to install 2,000 digital solar powered cameras in Abuja and Lagos.

The cameras were to be accompanied with 37 switch rooms, MW backbone, 37 coalition emergency response systems, 38 video conference sub-systems, 37 e-police systems, six emergency communication vehicles and 1.5 million lines for subscription.

The contract involved a payment of 15 percent by the Nigerian government and 85 percent by the Chinese EXIM Bank to be repaid within 10 years at the prevailing interest rate.

Adekoya said the contracts were initially awarded to facilitate real time communication between security agencies to enhance their capacities to monitor and pre-empt crime.

He expressed concern that the aim had been defeated with the failure of the firm to complete the installation of the cameras and make them functional.

Commenting on the issue, Femi Gbajabiamila, the house leader, advised that a new investigation panel be set up to ask specific questions on the root of the matter.

“Who signed the contracts with ZTE? Was it the police or the Federal Capital Territory Administration? There has been a lot of buck-passing on these contracts? Did the department that award contracts have the power to sign on behalf of Nigeria?” he asked.

“What is the role of private firms in security issues? Do we now farm out national security matters to private companies, foreign firms? There is so much to ask in this matter, which we must take seriously.”

The house resolved to unravel the circumstances surrounding the award and non-completion of the contract.