The House of Representatives has moved to halt further payments to Chinese telecom giant ZTE over the controversial $460 million Abuja CCTV project, citing its failure to deliver on its core objective of improving security in the Federal Capital Territory.
Lawmakers raised concerns that despite Nigeria continuing to service the loan obtained from China EXIM Bank, the surveillance system remains largely non-functional, with little or no impact on rising insecurity in Abuja.
The CCTV project, initiated in 2010 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was designed to deploy surveillance cameras and communication infrastructure across strategic locations in the capital. However, more than a decade later, investigations show that many of the installed cameras are either not operational or completely abandoned.
In response, lawmakers have called for a comprehensive probe into the contract, including how the funds were utilised and the role played by ZTE and relevant government agencies. Some members described the project as a wasteful investment and a “national embarrassment,” especially given the continued repayment of a loan tied to a failed system.
The move to stop further payments is part of broader efforts by the National Assembly to ensure accountability and prevent additional financial losses on a project that has not delivered expected results.
The development also reflects growing frustration over long-standing infrastructure failures in Nigeria’s security architecture, particularly projects funded
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