FCT CCTV Cameras: Nigerians Ask Questions On Their Functionality

Nigerians have called for a probe into the CCTV project in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. This call is prompted by the spate of bomb attacks in the nation’s capital Abuja and has raised concerns as to the functionality of the Closed Circuit Television CCTV cameras.

The Closed Circuit Television cameras project in the Federal Capital Territory was a vision to help security agencies check the heightened insecurity in Abuja. Between 2010 when the project was initiated and now, Abuja has come under eight deadly bomb attacks that has left many either dead or maimed and has property worth billions of naira where destroy.
At the scene of the latest attack at Emab Plaza, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja that claimed the life of 21 people and 17 others sustained injuries, there is not even a single CCTV camera that can be seen within the vicinity despite it being a very highly popular business area having many banks, eateries, shopping plazas and other businesses. This situation is very worrisome.
There are allegations that where the CCTV cameras are installed, it seems there are there to deceive the public, as most of them appear not to be functioning.
Mike Ejiofor, a security expert, said, “To the best of my knowledge, I don’t think those CCTVs are working.”
Osita Okereke, another security expert, said, “The CCTVs supposed to have a base, their data supposed to be somewhere in Apo where you have the police post, but that place is now occupied by destitute, there is nothing happening there, CCTV is not working.”
There is alleged complicity between the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Chinese company that handled the estimated $470m project meant to ease the task of police investigation.
Mike Ejiofor, said, “So I am using this opportunity to call on the Federal government to institute a high powered investigation to know what actually happened to the CCTV camera.”
Osita Okereke, said, “We should know why it is not working and let the company or the person that was awarded the contract be arrested.”
Most of the attacks in Abuja took place outside the CCTV coverage areas, security experts are therefore calling for urgent activations of the cameras especially at dark spot.
Mike Ejiofor, said,  “It would assist the security agencies in monitoring events, monitoring crime situations in the capital territory in particular.”
There is need for the government to act fast and stamp out this act of alleged corruption that has engulfed the CCTV project that is said to have been bankrolled by a loan obtained from the Chinese EXIM bank.

Source: Aitonline