Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is
a TV system in which signals are not publicly distributed but are monitored,
primarily for surveillance and security purposes. CCTV relies on strategic
placement of cameras, and observation of the camera's input on monitors
somewhere. Because the cameras communicate with monitors and/or video recorders
across private coaxial cable runs or wireless communication links, they gain
the designation "closed-circuit" to indicate that access to their
content is limited by design only to those able to see it.
However, in curbing the high rate of
insecurity in Nigeria, in May 2010 on assumption of office as Nigeria’s
President, Goodluck Jonathan had a deep thought about the security challenges
facing the nation he now leads. He called for experts. After series of
meetings with security experts within and outside the country, he arrived at
his first decision. The installation of Closed- circuit television (CCTV)
cameras has been suggested as part of the first steps.
On August 27, 2010, Nigeria signed
an agreement with Chinese telecommunication firm, ZTE to install about 2000
solar powered CCTV within the federal capital, Abuja and its commercial hub,
Lagos. Abuja and Lagos were selected to host the pilot projects aimed at
closely monitoring and uncovering possible threats to public security through
the CCTV cameras.
The installations as planned were to
adequately facilitate real time communication between Nigeria’s security
apparatus which include the Nigeria Police, State Security Service (SSS),
National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and perhaps other statutory security
establishments in the country. With this, Nigeria’s security agencies were
expected to nip in the bud the menace of suicide bombing and other forms of
crime in the country using accurate intelligence information and deployment of
necessary security apparatus to hot spots.
But a few years down the line, the
project initiated to support government’s effort to secure the country from
terrorism and reduce crime rate has neither served its purpose nor being
completed owing to various encumbrances that could be summarized as an alleged
lack of commitment on the part of the project contractor to establish job
schedule.
As noble as this plan is, many
people believe it is another white elephant project which would
enrich a few people and allow them to embezzle public funds.
Some
Nigerians bared their mind on this vital issue, they are of the opinion that
installing surveillance cameras on Nigerian roads is ridiculous and presently
an absolute laughable project for now until certain infrastructures are put in
place in the country.
Mr. Ganiu said: “It is a laudable
project that will go a long way in curbing criminal activities and other social
vices, but there should be proper maintenance of the dilapidated roads before
the CCTV cameras are installed”.
Mrs. Augustina on her own part held
that, “I feel sorry for my country, we are unable to provide national
identification card for the citizens and now the leaders are talking
of surveillance cameras, I hope it is not another means of transferring
billions of Nigeria money oversea.
Another concerned Nigerian Ogundare
Sunday said, “Without consistent predictable electricity or alternative power
supply, video surveillance infrastructure in Nigeria will never be a success. I
could not remember how long the giant of Africa will overcome the challenges of
epileptic power supply. This problem has persisted in Nigeria but I do know
that the country is almost a laughing-stock of many other countries. A Few West
African countries including Ghana have celebrated several years of
uninterrupted power supply.
There
is no doubt that the CCTV project would remain an important aspect of Nigeria’s
security measures in curbing and reducing crime and terrorism in the country,
but the fact that the project initiated to support government’s effort to
secure the country from terrorism and reduce crime rate has neither served its
purpose nor being completed calls for a thorough investigation on its purpose.
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