Governor Otu led government has approved the first phase of a statewide artificial intelligence-powered surveillance project aimed at strengthening security, improving emergency response and enhancing flood monitoring across the state.
The approval was granted by the State Executive Council following the consideration of a memorandum presented by the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Cross River State Planning Commission, Dr. Bong Duke.
Speaking in a statement on Friday, Duke said the initiative forms part of the Cross River State Resilience Agenda (2026–2030), a strategic framework designed to modernise governance through technology while improving disaster preparedness and climate resilience.
He noted that the state’s existing analogue surveillance system had become outdated, covering less than 10 per cent of Calabar metropolis and offering no surveillance in other major urban centres, including Akamkpa, Ugep, Ikom, Ogoja and Obudu.
According to Duke, the project was developed after extensive technical engagements with Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., including visits to the company’s facilities in China. The deployment will be executed through Huawei’s local partner, Dubass Synergy Multi-Services Limited.
The first phase of the project will see AI-powered surveillance cameras installed at strategic locations, including major intersections, government facilities, vulnerable coastal communities, waterways, the Ikang Expressway, Carnival routes and other identified security flashpoints.
AI powered camera will be linked to a central command centre at the Office of the State Security Adviser, enabling real time monitoring, intelligence gathering and coordinated emergency response.
Duke said the AI-enabled cameras would feature facial recognition, automatic number plate recognition, violence and theft detection, fire alerts, flood-level monitoring and illegal waste-dumping detection.
The project will also include solar-powered installations, wireless data transmission infrastructure and a unified video analytics dashboard.
He said the technology is expected to improve traffic management, strengthen the state’s zero-waste campaign and support flood early-warning systems while significantly reducing emergency response times.
According to him, emergency response time within Calabar is projected to fall from more than 45 minutes to fewer than 12 minutes once the system becomes operational.
Duke added that the project would enhance security ahead of AFSNET 2026 and boost Cross River’s attractiveness to investors and tourists by providing a safer environment for business and international events.
He also disclosed that the initiative would create employment opportunities for at least 120 local technicians who will participate in civil works and equipment installation.
The AI surveillance project is part of the Bassey Otu administration’s broader efforts to strengthen public safety, improve emergency management and modernise governance through digital technology under the Cross River State Resilience Agenda (2026–2030).
