*Security cameras dormant 3 years after
*130 cameras, solar panels vandalised
A multibillion naira Federal Government
project for the installation of security cameras in Abuja and Lagos has become
dormant three years after it was awarded under the National Public Service
Communication System, investigations by Daily Trust has shown.
The Federal Government in August 2010 awarded
the $470 million (N73.9 billion) contract to Chinese company ZTE for the
installation of 2,000 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the two
cities with a central control unit at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja,
aimed at helping security agencies in dealing with security challenges.
The project, which was supposed to be
completed in July 2011, also includes provision of wireless voice service for
the Nigerian Police Force to modernise its operations.
Investigations by Daily Trust found that 1,000
CCTV cameras have been installed in strategic locations in each of Abuja and
Lagos, but none has been put to use and at least 130 of the units have been
vandalised in Abuja.
Sources involved with the project said it is
being stifled by government’s lack of “seriousness”, even as security
challenges tighten the grip on parts of the country.
The Ministry of Police of Police Affairs
executing the project has failed to answer questions from Daily Trust even after
a letter seeking an audience with minister Caleb Olubolade on the matter was
submitted as demanded by officials.
But a senior officer at the Police Force
Headquarters in Abuja said the installation of communication gadgets under the
National Public Service Communication System was delayed because some of the
masts required for the system to work have not been mounted.
“There are about 700 masts that will be
installed in different parts of the country but the contractors were not able
to secure suitable sites to mount them,” the official said.
“In some places you will buy land and by the
time you start work there, a group will emerge claiming the ownership of the
land. But we have concluded arrangement with the FCT authorities and they are
facilitating.”
He said the cameras were “only 15 per cent of
the entire contract which also included the delivery and installation of
videoconferencing and video calling gadgets among others.”
The official said because of the sluggish
progress of the project about 130 cameras and solar panels have been vandalised
in Abuja. When contacted, spokesman for the Police Affairs Ministry Mr. James
Odaudu said he has no ideas on how the contract is being executed as he was
neither involved nor briefed.
Ministry officials asked Daily Trust to write
a letter to the Police Affairs Minister Caleb Olubolade requesting for
explanation about the project including the reasons for the delay in its
completion.
The letter was delivered at the ministry two
weeks ago, but there was no reply by the time of going to press last night.
ZTE, the Chinese company handling the project,
had said last month that the project has been completed and is on the verge of
being handed over to the government.
The company’s managing director Brielle Gao
denied reports that ZTE was asking for an upward review of the contract sum by
about $300 million.
She said at present police officers were being
trained on how to operate the facilities and that the Police force “has started
using this network in its daily activities and there are several criminal
incidents that have been captured through this project via cameras.”
Gao said the project also involves the
installation of 696 base transmission stations (BTS) nationwide. She blamed
broken solar panels and poles on vandalism and vehicles running into them.
The National Public Service Communication
System (NPSCS) is being funded by a $470 million credit facility obtained from
the Exim Bank of China, secured with 3 per cent interest, repayable in 10
years.
Based on the project terms, the Federal
Government was to make an initial 15 percent payment of about $70.5 million,
while the Chinese Exim Bank would provide the balance of $399.5 million.
The project has long been mired in
controversy, and a House of Representatives committee instituted an
investigation in December 2011, following allegations of breach of the due
process in awarding the contract. No report has been made public by the House
yet.
Source: Daily Trust
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