By Olisemeka Sony
Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) has declared that all outdoor advertisement commercial structures in the state can no longer be erected or owned by individuals, political party candidates, organizations, government agencies, or companies. And that that those who flouted the new rules and regulations guiding outdoor advertisements in the state could pay the penalty.
In a statement titled: ‘Clarifications on Billboard Ownership and Political Campaign Fees in Anambra State’, Mr Tony Odili Ujubuoñu, the Managing Director/CEO of ANSAA stated that any individual, company or government agency that requires a billboard shall rent the board from registered practitioners in the state.
He clarified: “If a board is erected without proper approval which is given only to registered outdoor advertising agencies by ANSAA, such board or boards will immediately be brought down, confiscated and the defaulter will bear the cost of such enforcement. Also, it is not the duty of the person renting the billboard to pay ANSAA fees.
According to the ANSAA boss, it is the practitioner that pays the statutory annual ANSAA fees for each board.
On the lifting of political campaign, he noted that the fees expected to be paid to ANSAA for political campaign in the state would be the political campaign permit fees which enables the political party candidate to campaign in and around the state for the position he or she is contesting.
“The fees are as follows: Presidential campaign – N10, 000,000; Senatorial Campaign– N7, 500,000; Federal House of Representative Campaign– N5, 000,000; State House of Assembly Campaign– N1, 000,000.
He stressed that such fees cover the charges for posting political posters in non-public places, exposure of images on political campaign offices, vehicles, banners, T-Shirts, caps, flags, flyers, wrappers, buntings, kerchiefs, stickers, etc., hold road shows, rallies and use of public address systems in and around the 21 local government areas of the state.
“Note that this does not include the fees for advertising on billboards which, as noted above, will be paid on their behalf by the registered outdoor advertising practitioner”, he said, adding that payments should be made to the Board of Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS).
“Send your proof of payment to the Senior AssetsManager – Mobile Assets, ANSAA Head Office 8, Ekwulobia Street, GRA Awka, or to the Zonal Head of ANSAA offices in any of the following Local Government Areas ( Aguata, Idemmili North, Ihiala, Njikoka, Nnewi-North, Onitsha-North, Onitsha-South and Oyi) or scan and send by email to ansaaenquiries@yahoo.com. A campaign permit will be issued to you afterwards.”
He adds that political party candidates must ensure that their agents don’t deface public places like bridges, building, stadia, school walls etc., with their posters.
“Defaulters will be penalized. We urge all advertisers using billboards to obtain APCON vetting of their campaign messages before posting them. It is a crime to break APCON code of conduct rules. It is not ANSAA’s duty to vet your messages.”
“We advise that you consult the Advertising practitioner handling your campaign to contact APCON for such vetting. Once again, we wish you well in all your endeavors, keep it safe, peaceful and orderly. Remember, ANSAA is your progress partner in business,” he adds.
