From Kemi Yesufu and Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has described as urgent, the need for Federal Government to provide the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) funds to power the operations of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems nationwide.
The House in adopting the report of the Ahmed Yerima-led ad-hoc committee, which investigated the award of the $470 million CCTV installation contract, also urged that the commercialised excess capacity of the network be sold to operators and the revenues derived should be used to defray the cost of maintaining and operating the network.
The House said the executive arm should not privatise the National Public Security Communications System (NPSCS). Rather, the lawmakers advised that it be ceded to the NSA’s office, which is saddled with such responsibility and that the NSA’s office should set up a department to coordinate the activities of NPSCS.
The House also said that ZTE Nigeria Limited, the company which operated the CCTV systems, should refund the discrepancy amount certified after an audit exercise, or better still, it should supply necessary equipment worth the amount else government should deduct same from the $20.247 million outstanding payment.
The lawmakers said the former permanent secretary in the defunct ministry of police affairs, Mr. James Obeigbu should be prosecuted for deliberately refusing to release the approved N3 billion meant for network operations and maintenance.
Additionally, the House stated the need to carry out a forensic audit of the outstanding debt owed ZTE, so that the actual amount could be verified adding that it should be paid based on the exchange rate obtainable in 2013, when the contract was signed.
The lawmakers equally advised that the number of cameras be increased and those vandalised should be replaced, saying the geographical coverage of the cameras should be expanded to increase security surveillance in the country.
The House adopted the recommendation that the Federal Government cancel its agreement with Netlink Broadband Networks and that the disengagement of BCTEK Engineering Limited from the contract be investigated by relevant security agencies.