The Zambian government has secured a US$41.5-million loan with the Export Import Bank of Korea for a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera project to be implemented in the country's capital Lusaka.

The initiative, under the auspices of the Ministry of Home Affairs, will be established under the Public Safety and Information System project aimed at enhancing public safety and security.

The Zambian Minister of Broadcasting and Information Services Chishimba Kambwili said the loan was approved by the government this week. "The loan for the Public Safety and Information System is highly concessional and has a repayment period of 25 years. It will help in the improvement of security in Lusaka," Kambwili said.

Last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that had received bids for the installation of CCTV cameras on the streets of Lusaka.

The project is also designed to assist with traffic management and general monitoring of streets by security personnel.

The CCTV system is expected to begin operating once the country's Roads and Safety Agency (RATSA) has put in place a solid database to identify vehicle owners.

Under the surveillance system, drivers' licenses could be linked to bank accounts which will mean traffic offenders will have fines debited electronically.