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Reps Direct Immediate Suspension of ZTE Payments
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately suspend all disbursements to ZTE Corporation over unresolved questions surrounding the execution of the $460 million Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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The resolution followed a resumed investigative hearing by an ad hoc committee probing the controversial CCTV project, held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
Lawmakers Raise Red Flags Over Project Execution
During the hearing, several lawmakers expressed deep concern over what they described as inconsistencies, vague explanations, and a lack of transparency from ZTE officials regarding the project’s scope, deployment locations, and current operational status.
The $460 million CCTV initiative was awarded under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, as part of efforts to enhance urban security through modern surveillance infrastructure.
Committee Demands Fresh Documentation From ZTE
Alarmed by the conflicting submissions, the committee directed the ZTE delegation to reappear with comprehensive and verifiable documentation, including:
- A detailed inventory of all equipment supplied and installed
- Exact locations of CCTV infrastructure nationwide
- Names and contact details of the 456 Nigerians reportedly trained to operate and maintain the system
Hon. Donald Ojogo, who chaired the session, stressed that the probe was not intended as a witch-hunt but a fact-finding exercise to address public concerns.
“This is a constructive engagement. Nigerians deserve clear answers, and we expect ZTE to respond in line with the documents before us,” Ojogo said.
ZTE Admits Uncertainty Over System Functionality
Responding on behalf of ZTE, company representative Irene Momoh stated that the firm supplied and installed CCTV infrastructure in Abuja and Lagos between 2011 and 2012.
However, under questioning, he admitted uncertainty about 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 operational status,” he told the committee.
Maintenance Dispute and Funding Concerns
Addressing allegations that ZTE failed to provide a sustainable maintenance framework, Momoh explained that the company initially offered a three-month maintenance contract, which it voluntarily extended to six months before handing over the system.
He attributed the project’s decline to the Federal Government’s inability to sustain funding after handover.
“There was no continued funding from the government to maintain and run the system after handover,” he said.
Lawmakers Dispute Claims on Deployment Locations
Lawmakers, however, challenged ZTE’s claims on the geographical spread of the installations. Citing records from the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, Hon. Iyawe Esosa disputed claims of installations in Edo State.
“Official records indicate installations in Edo State, but as someone who lives in Benin City, I can confidently say these facilities do not exist in the listed locations,” he said.
Similarly, Hon. Davidson Akinlayo rejected claims of deployments in Ekiti State, insisting there was no visible evidence of CCTV infrastructure across the state.
“Outside Lagos, there is no visible deployment in the South-West,” he asserted.
Threat of Legal Action and Payment Details
Frustrated by the inconsistencies, some lawmakers threatened to petition the Nigerian Bar Association for disciplinary action against ZTE’s spokesperson.
Meanwhile, a CBN representative, Mr. Josiah Okike, advised the committee to channel its directive through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for effective implementation. He disclosed that as of March 2026, ZTE was due to receive $15.37 million under the loan repayment arrangement.
Committee Resolved to Summon ZTE
The committee resolved to summon ZTE again for further questioning and insisted on documentary proof of project handover, including details of the government agencies that assumed custody of the CCTV infrastructure.
