Benue Govt Demolishes Illegal, Unidentified Billboards

The Benue State government has begun the dismantling of illegal and unidentified billboards in the state.

The technical adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, Solomon Iorpev,  said the government will begin mobile court sitting to ensure that defaulters are sanctioned in line with the law.

Iorpev, who is also director-general Benue State Signage and Advertisement Agency, explained that the exercise was part of the organisation’s statutory responsibility to regulate outdoor advertising and ensure full compliance.

In a statement he issued, Iorpev said, “Yesterday (Sunday), I led my team on our first enforcement mission to dismantle illegal and unidentified billboards, commencing at Tito Gate.

“The law establishing the Benue State Signage and Advertisement Agency mandates us not only to allocate sites and supervise the installation of billboards, but also to dismantle, relocate and confiscate all illegal, unlicensed and unidentified structures. This exercise is part of our statutory responsibility to regulate outdoor advertising and ensure full compliance across the state,” he said.

The governor’s aide added that,  “a public announcement was issued some weeks ago directing all owners of commercial billboards to present themselves for documentation, providing details of the location, dimensions and number of billboards under their control. While we commend those who have complied, we urge others who are yet to do so immediately.

Non-compliance will attract the full weight of the law”

“His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, is resolute in his commitment to repositioning Benue State, and the Benue State Signage and Advertisement Agency remains dedicated to supporting this vision through firm and lawful enforcement” Iorpev stated.