Fact-Check: Claim That Rivers State Sole Administrator Installed N24bn CCTV Is Misleading

BY: Abdulraheem Muhammed

Claim:
A viral post by Port Harcourt Socials on X claims that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State has installed a CCTV system inside the Rivers State Government House, costing ₦24 billion.

Verdict:
Misleading! The CCTV project has not been implemented. The ₦24 billion was part of a proposed budget submitted by the Sole Administrator and is currently being scrutinized by the House of Representatives.

Full Text:

On social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), a viral claim alleged that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State had already installed a ₦24 billion CCTV surveillance system in the Government House, Port Harcourt. The claim stirred public outrage over alleged excessive government spending.

However, a closer look reveals the claim distorts the facts. The ₦24 billion CCTV project was not executed by the Sole Administrator but was included as a line item in the 2025 budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly for approval.

Verification:

The claim gained attention after the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations summoned the Rivers State delegation to a budget defence session held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

During the session, the House Majority Leader and Committee Chairman, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, raised concerns about several items in the proposed budget. In a statement released by House spokesman Akin Rotimi, the Committee flagged certain expenditures, including:

● ₦24 billion for the installation of CCTV systems at the Rivers State Government House,

● ₦30 billion for the procurement of gunboats, and

● ₦23 billion listed under “contingency” without detailed justification.

These items were queried for lack of transparency and detailed explanation, not confirmed implementation.

Media platforms like Punch Newspapers and TVC Newsreported extensively on the National Assembly’s scrutiny. TVC News even posted a video clip from the session on its social media accounts, showing lawmakers questioning the figures.

There is no evidence that any contract has been awarded or that any CCTV installation has been carried out.

Conclusion:

The claim that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State has installed ₦24 billion worth of CCTV in the Government House is misleading. The figure was part of a budget proposal that is yet to be approved or implemented. Misinformation of this nature can mislead the public and fuel unnecessary outrage. Citizens are encouraged to rely on verified reports and official budget records before drawing conclusions.