By Oluwakemi Kindness
The House of Representatives has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to suspend further payments to ZTE Corporation over $460 million national CCTV surveillance project, citing transparency and accountability concerns.
The resolution followed a motion moved by lawmakers Ali Shettima and Kolawale Akinlayo during an investigative session by an Ad-Hoc Committee at the National Assembly.
Probe Raises Transparency Issues
Lawmakers identified inconsistencies and vague disclosures from ZTE regarding the project’s execution, particularly on deployment locations and the operational status of installed infrastructure.
Chairman of the committee, Donald Ojogo, described the probe as a fact-finding exercise aimed at ensuring accountability.
“This is a constructive engagement, not an attempt to witch-hunt anyone. Nigerians deserve clear answers.”
ZTE Admits Uncertainty
ZTE representative, Irene Momoh, told lawmakers that the CCTV systems were installed in Abuja and Lagos between 2011 and 2012 but could not confirm their current functionality.
He explained that the company provided initial maintenance support for three months, later extended to six, attributing the system’s decline to lack of sustained government funding after handover.
Lawmakers Dispute Deployment Claims
Concerns intensified as lawmakers challenged ZTE’s claims of installations in several states.
Iyawe Esosa questioned reported installations in Edo State, stating that listed facilities could not be found.
Similarly, Akinlayo dismissed claims of deployment in Ekiti State, noting the absence of visible infrastructure across the South-West outside Lagos.
Tensions escalated when Momoh cited his 2023 appointment as limiting his knowledge of the project, prompting warnings from lawmakers of possible disciplinary action, including referral to the Nigerian Bar Association.
Payment Status and Next Steps
A representative of the Central Bank, Josiah Okike, advised that any directive should be routed through the Office of the Accountant-General.
He disclosed that ZTE is still owed $15.37 million as of March 2026.
The committee has directed the company to reappear with detailed documentation, including a full inventory of supplied equipment, exact installation locations nationwide, records of 456 Nigerians reportedly trained, and proof of project handover.
Initiated under former President Goodluck Jonathan, the CCTV project was designed to strengthen urban security.
However, despite its $460 million cost, it has faced persistent criticism over poor maintenance, funding gaps, and limited impact on national security.
