CCTV SCAMERA

The world over, closed-circuit television (CCTV) is used to detect and resolve crimes. From petty offences such as shoplifting to acts of terror, like the Boston Marathon bombing, CCTV has been a useful tool for security agents so much so that it is regarded as the first port of call in detecting crime. It is with such efficacy in mind that Nigerians (especially those of us residing in Lagos and Abuja) welcomed plans by the federal government to install solar-powered CCTV cameras at strategic locations in the two cities.

We received this news with cautious optimism and even raised eyebrows at the fact that they had thought about power and had opted for the solar powered version. The pessimists amongst us waved it aside. To this last group, projects like this are not matched with good intention in Nigeria; therefore it was destined to fail. I remember reading editorials and op-eds of diverse reactions on the matter. Unfortunately, the nihilists carried the day because the CCTV project turns out to be nothing but a big scam – as usual!

We started spotting solar panels and cameras in Abuja and Lagos, followed by a showy display to commission the project. We thought Judgment Day had finally come for criminals, reckless drivers and traffic offenders. We thought our streets would be safer. We thought terrorists would want to think twice before attacking our cities. We were wrong. 

 

The contract our government awarded was a scam on us. We were told that 2,000 digital solar-powered cameras –1,000 each for Abuja and Lagos – would be installed. We were told that 37 switch rooms, MW backbone, 37 coalition emergency response systems, 38 video conference subsystems, 37 e-police systems, six emergency communication vehicles and 1.5 million subscriber lines would add bite to our quest for safer cities.  We were told that the project would be jointly funded by the Nigerian government and the China Export Bank to the tune of $470 million (about N77 billion). They told us that our new system would capture images 24/7 and transmit it to its base station for analysis. In 2012, they told us all was set, that the project had been completed. In 2014, our CCTV system is yet to detect just one crime – even if it is a pickpocket at Berger Roundabout in Abuja or Oju Elegba in Lagos. 

We have since had several terrorist attacks in Abuja. To what extent would a CCTV security system have helped if it were functioning? What is left of the N77billion project has been cannibalized. It is incongruous that criminals are stealing what was designed to apprehend them. These things can only happen in Nigeria. Nothing but nothing is sacrosanct. Even a measure supposedly put in place to protect life and property is not immune from the impunity of our government officials. Here it is all about me, me, me and nothing but me. Our greed has brought on amorality that is no longer conscious of what is at stake anymore. How do you correct a system that does not know that it is malfunctioning, so much that we don’t seem to care about what is at stake anymore? The survival of an infant, the future of our youth or the security of the citizenry does not matter as long as the proceeds end up in a private bank account.  

In any normal society, if 2 years after project completion these cameras were not functioning, and we are experiencing the type of terrorism, destruction and fear that we currently live under; the officials responsible would have been arraigned. Here, despite deaths being recorded daily, our leaders profit from it and still walk tall. We budget billions of naira for security each year, yet we know that our army are overwhelmed in the fight against insurgents because they lack adequate facilities and weaponry. Our education and health sectors are in shambles despite the billions we spend on them annually. A miniscule amount meant for these projects are actually applied. The bulk ends up in private pockets. Like the CCTV project, we deceive taxpayers by erecting white elephant physical structures. The idea is just an empty shell with no substance, a mirror of what we are as a people.

Yet again the government whose core responsibility is to protect and provide for us has shortchanged us. Section 14 (2b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states unequivocally that …the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. These days, that primary purpose has been to enrich a small exclusive club of not up to 3 percent of our population while the rest of us are left on our own. What are you going to do about this? Get up and make yourself heard.