The House of Representatives has inaugurated an ad hoc committee to investigate the worsening insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory despite the expenditure of 460 million dollars on a Closed Circuit Television project funded through a Chinese loan.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on Thursday, the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, described the rising cases of kidnappings, armed robbery and killings in the FCT as unacceptable and intolerable.
Represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources Downstream, Rep. Julius Pondi, Abbas lamented that Abuja, once regarded as one of the most peaceful capitals in West Africa, has become a hotspot for violent crimes.
He questioned why the costly CCTV project, which was designed to boost surveillance and strengthen security operations, has failed to curb insecurity. He said Nigerians deserve clear explanations on whether the project was implemented, abandoned or compromised through mismanagement.
Abbas stated that the committee is mandated to conduct a forensic probe into the current status of the project, its operational capacity, integration with security agencies and the reasons for its failure. The panel will also determine any cases of negligence or sabotage and recommend measures to activate or overhaul the system.
He urged the Ministers of the FCT, Finance and Interior, the Inspector General of Police, area council chairmen and heads of security agencies to cooperate fully with the investigation.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Ojogo Kimikanboh, described Abuja as a theatre of fear and called the CCTV project a scandal of monumental proportions. He assured that the assignment would be carried out with diligence and integrity in the national interest.
