The House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the $460 million Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance project in the Federal Capital Territory has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend any further payments to ZTE Corporation until the company provides satisfactory explanations on the execution of the contract.
The directive, issued on Tuesday, followed lawmakers’ dissatisfaction with what they described as inconsistencies, vague responses, and a lack of transparency from ZTE officials regarding the project’s scope, deployment, and current operational status.
The committee also directed the company to return with detailed and verifiable documentation, including a comprehensive inventory of all equipment supplied and installed, exact locations of the infrastructure nationwide, and the identities and contact details of the 456 Nigerians reportedly trained to operate and maintain the system.
The resolution was adopted after a motion moved by Ali Shettima, representing Bursari/Geidam/Yunusari Federal Constituency, and seconded by Kolawale Akinlayo during an investigative hearing at the National Assembly.
Chairman of the committee, Donald Ojogo, emphasised that the probe was not intended as a witch-hunt but a fact-finding exercise aimed at addressing public concerns.
“This is a constructive engagement. Nigerians deserve clear answers, and we expect ZTE to respond in line with available records,” he said.
Representing ZTE Corporation, Irene Momoh stated that the company supplied and installed CCTV infrastructure in Abuja and Lagos, adding that the project was completed between 2011 and 2012. However, he admitted he could not confirm whether the system is still operational.
“To the best of our knowledge, the equipment was delivered and installed within the project timeline, but I cannot confirm its present status,” he said.
The admission drew sharp reactions from lawmakers, who questioned how a project of such magnitude could lack a sustainable maintenance framework.
Momoh explained that ZTE initially had a three-month maintenance agreement, which was later extended to six months before handing over the system. He blamed the project’s deterioration on the government’s inability to sustain funding after the handover.
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“There was no continued funding from the government to maintain and run the system,” he added.
Lawmakers, however, disputed several of the company’s claims, particularly regarding the geographical spread of installations. Citing records from the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, Iyawe Esosa challenged ZTE’s assertion that deployment was limited to Abuja and Lagos.
“Official documents indicate installations in Edo State, but these facilities are not visible in the listed locations,” he said.
Similarly, Akinlayo rejected claims of installations in Ekiti State, insisting there was no evidence of deployment across the state.
“None of the listed locations, including Ado-Ekiti, has any of these facilities. Outside Lagos, there is no visible presence in the South-West,” he stated.
Tensions heightened when Momoh attributed gaps in his responses to the fact that he only assumed office in 2023, noting that key officials involved in the original contract were no longer with the company. Lawmakers viewed the explanation as evasive and warned of a possible referral to the Nigerian Bar Association.
Meanwhile, a representative of the CBN, Josiah Okike, advised the committee to channel its directive through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for proper implementation.
He revealed that as of March 2026, ZTE was expected to receive $15.37 million under the loan repayment arrangement.
The committee resolved to summon the company again and insisted on documentary proof of the project’s handover, including details of the government agencies that took over the infrastructure.
The CCTV project, initiated under former President Goodluck Jonathan, was funded through a loan agreement with the Chinese government and executed by ZTE Corporation. It was designed to enhance urban security by deploying thousands of surveillance cameras across major cities, supported by integrated command centres.
Although initially hailed as a major step in tackling insecurity, the project has been dogged by controversy, with persistent concerns over its visibility, functionality, and impact. Successive administrations have faced criticism over poor maintenance, funding gaps, and alleged contractual irregularities.
The ongoing probe marks a renewed effort by lawmakers to determine how a major public investment has delivered little measurable improvement in national security.