ENSSAA Begins Enforcement Against Unauthorized Advertisements

The Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) says it will commence a statewide enforcement exercise against unauthorized outdoor advertisements following the conclusion of the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election.

The General Manager of the agency, Mr Francis Aninwike, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Enugu.

Aninwike said the exercise would target illegally displayed posters, billboards, political campaign materials, banners and other outdoor advertisements erected without the approval and requisite permits of the agency.

He said the operation would be carried out across Enugu metropolis and the 17 local government areas of the state in line with the provisions of the ENSSAA Law 2016, which regulates outdoor advertising and signage in the state.

According to him, the agency deliberately suspended the enforcement exercise in recent weeks to allow for the conduct of the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election.

He explained that the decision was taken to avoid giving political coloration to what he described as a long-overdue regulatory exercise aimed at restoring order, sanity and environmental aesthetics within the state's outdoor advertising space.

The general manager stressed that no individual, political party, candidate, organisation or business was permitted to erect, display or paste advertisements, including political campaign materials, without obtaining the approval of the agency.

He advised political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to regularise their advertisements and obtain the necessary permits before displaying campaign materials or other outdoor advertisements in any part of the state.

Aninwike noted that the proliferation of unauthorized advertisements constituted a violation of the law, contributed to visual pollution, defaced public infrastructure and undermined the beauty of the environment.

"This enforcement exercise is not targeted at any individual or political group. It is a routine regulatory action aimed at ensuring compliance with the law and maintaining a clean, orderly and aesthetically pleasing environment across the state," he said.

He disclosed that the agency had secured armed police escorts for its enforcement teams to ensure a smooth and peaceful operation.

According to him, the exercise will be conducted daily between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Aninwike urged members of the public to comply with extant regulations and refrain from obstructing officials carrying out their lawful duties.

He reiterated ENSSAA's commitment to sanitising the outdoor advertising sector, enforcing compliance with relevant laws and ensuring that outdoor advertisements across the state conform to approved standards.

Tags: ENSSAA, Enugu State, Outdoor Advertising.