The Kogi State Government has warned politicians and outdoor advertisers to stop littering the state with billboards and posters, but rather to embrace electronic Billboards to pass their messages..
The General Manager, kogi state Signages and advertisement Agency, Richard Osaseyi made the disclosure on Tuesday at the 5th Build Environment and Building Material Exhibition held at the IdriNana Hotel Lokoja, kogi state capital.
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The General Manager, noted that contrary to notions of some political parties against the Signages fees, advised them to embrace electronic billboards to market their Products rather than remaining with the old method of pasting posters and billboards which have the tendency to deface the streets and endangers the people.
He said the Agency is not after any person or groups of persons and political parties from campaigning, stressing that people should embrace the rule of law, due process and modernity as it is done in other climes.
He urge the political parties who are aggrieved by the law to follow due process , collaborate and synergise with the Agency to resolve the grey areas rather than going to court.
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According to Osaseyi, “the Agency is not preventing anybody from campaigning. What we are saying is, let the due process be followed. It is unfortunate that those who have gone to court did not approach us for dialogue. But to us, one thing is certain, that one cannot be doing the same thing over and over and expect different results.
” Some months ago at the Ganaja Junction, the whole place was littered with billboards and posters. Government spent tax payers money to remove them and if government continue to clear posters and billboards mounted by politicians, where would the government have the needed fund for development.
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” The rules and regulations by the Agency, stipulated that, if you want to mount billboards and posters,you should pay fifty million naira in bank bond. We don’t need your money, just go to a bank , obtain a bond and after the campaign, clear off the posters and billboards, then come to us for bond cancellation, then, go to your bank and get your money”. He clarified.
The GM disclosed that Kogi state as a member of the comity of states, cannot lag behind in the handling of Posters and billboards as the electronic billboards is the way to go for safety of the people and scenic view of the cities.
He said, what a political party needed to showcase the ideals and candidate of the party is not more than four electronic billboards mounted in strategic locations across the state
He said the Agency is not forcing any person or party to fix electronic billboards, but the state would not continue to allow the old method of littering the streets with posters and billboards.
He explained that with electronic billboards, a message can reach thousands of people in less than ten minutes, thereby generating revenue for the state to offer development projects to the people.
While commending the organisers and sponsors of BEBM exhibition for their consistency in bringing professionals in the build industry together, described the event as beautiful and marvelous.
He assured that government is ready to partner and collaborate with the organisers to ensure that it attracts foreign investors who would come to invest in the state.
