Abuja- Determined to sanitise the outdoor advertising industry in the Federal Capital Territory, the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS), has embarked on an awareness campaign to ensure compliance with established guidelines, says the director, Mr Ibrahim Yusuf.
Yusuf told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that the campaign was organised to enlighten practitioners on the modalities for effective billing system and payment of annual registration fees.
“The Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage, FCTA, is a regulatory body established and charged with the responsibility of regulating and controlling outdoor advertisement practice in the FCT.
“This is in line with the provision of its enabling law (Six FCT Area Council Delegation of their control and Regulation of outdoor advertisement and signage to DOAS, by-law, 2012.B705-708),’’ he said.
The director said the department would issue licence and permits for the construction and replacement of outdoor advertisements.
He said it would also supervise and enforce the procedures and guidelines for the regulation of ownership and operation of outdoor signage and advertisement.
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Mr Udoh Akanimo, the Assistant Director, DOAS who led one of the groups to Banex and Emab Plaza, said the by-law would be given to officials of companies to enable them to know the appropriate body to pay their fees.
He said that after the awareness creation, proper action would be taken against any defaulters.
At Emab plaza, one of the officials who did not give her name but has “JUNOZ ABC Nig. Pharmacy” on the billboard, insisted that an official letter should be written to the outfits.
“Whenever Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) comes, we will not pay to them until we clarify the right authority for outdoor advertisement,’’ she said.
The official advised that AMAC and DOAS should meet to clear the air on who would be responsible for the issues of outdoor advertisement and signage in the FCT. (NAN)
