House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the $460 million CCTV project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend further payments to ZTE Corporation pending clarification on the contract’s execution.
The committee said disbursements should remain on hold until the Chinese firm provides satisfactory explanations regarding the project.
The lawmakers expressed frustration over what they described as inconsistencies, vague responses, and lack of transparency from the ZTE representatives during the probe.
As part of its directive, the committee ordered ZTE to return with comprehensive documentation, including details of equipment supplied, installation sites, and contact information of the 456 Nigerians reportedly trained under the project.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Donald Ojogo, stressed that the investigation is not a witch-hunt, but a fact-finding exercise aimed at ensuring accountability.
“This is a constructive engagement. Nigerians deserve clear answers,” he said.
Responding to the lawmakers’ queries, ZTE representative, Irene Momoh, stated that the CCTV infrastructures were supplied and installed in Abuja and Lagos between 2011 and 2012.
However, she admitted uncertainty about its current operational status.
“I cannot confirm its present operational status,” she said.
Momoh explained that ZTE initially handled maintenance for three months, later extended to six months, before handing over the system to the government.
She added that the absence of continued funding affected the system’s sustainability.
“There was no continued funding from the government to maintain and run the system after the handover,” she said.
Some lawmakers, however, disputed ZTE’s claims.
Hon. Iyawe Esosa challenged the assertion that installations were limited to Abuja and Lagos, citing records indicating deployments in Edo State.
“Official records indicate installations in Edo State, yet, these facilities do not exist in the listed locations,” he said.
In the same vein, Hon. Akinlayo dismissed claims of installations in Ekiti State.
“None of the locations listed, including Ado-Ekiti, has any of these facilities. Outside Lagos, there is no visible deployment in the South-West,” he asserted.
A Central Bank of Nigeria official, Josiah Okike, advised the committee to channel its directive through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for proper administrative action.
He disclosed that as of March 2026, ZTE was due to receive $15.37 million under the loan repayment arrangement.
