By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Commissioner for Science and Technology in Lagos State, Mr Olufemi Odubiyi, has disclosed that the plans by the state government to deploy about 13,000 High Definition (HD) Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in strategic areas of the state to ensure safety of residents and businesses has been delayed by instability in the foreign exchange market in Nigeria.
Mr Odubiyi made this disclosure on Monday while addressing newsmen in Ikeja at the 2017 ministerial briefing to mark the second year in office of Governor Akinwunmu Ambode.
According to him, the state government plans to deploy 2,000 HD cameras with 1,000 ganties in the first phase, while in the second phase, about 11,000 HD cameras would be deployed.
However, he lamented that the present instability in the foreign exchange market in Nigeria was already frustrating this move as well as some major on-going projects in the state.
He noted that the unstable exchange rate of the Naira to the Dollar at the forex market was causing the delay in the delivery of the HD cameras.
But the Commissioner assured that the state government would continue to strive hard to overcome this challenge.
He said when installed, the CCTV cameras would turn Lagos State to a 24-hour driven economy and allow businesses operate in a safe and secure environment.
Mr Odubiyi also stressed that crime rate would reduce in the state.
Adedapo Adesanya