Rivers State government urges outdoor advertisers to obtain licence

In a bid to restore sanity, order and professionalism to the outdoor landscape, the Rivers State Signage and Advertisement Agency (RISAA) has given a one-month ultimatum to outdoor practitioners and owners of billboard and signage structures in the state. to register with the Agency on or before November 30, 2016.

According to the Acting Managing Director RISSA, Chukwudi Dimkpa, “Every outdoor Structure owned by an operator (Corporate or non-corporate entity) must be registered by its owner. Such owner shall provide registration number as a reference with application of a permit”.

He further said any unregistered structure is classified as illegal and will be removed after a period of 30 days of notification. He warned that the cost of removing such structures shall be borne by the offending outdoor operator, and the dismantled offending structure impounded until, all cost incurred by the Agency are paid up, including a demurrage that begins to count five working days after the structure is removed by the Agency.

Meanwhile, sectorial practitioners, Industry watchers and Stakeholders have applauded this initiative by the Agency. They believe this will ensure standards and compliment state government effort with urban renewal and civic beatification. Observers also hope RISSA will redress the existing practices of billboard clutter, illegal structures, fallen and dilapidated boards and other unwholesome activities leading to poor civic environment.

Established by an enactment of the Rivers State House of Assembly, RISAA is empowered to regulate and control outdoor structures for the display of Signage, Hoarding and Advertisement in the State. It issues Licenses and Permits for the construction and placement of outdoor hoarding, advertisement billboards and signage structures in any part of the State, control the number, size and locations of these structures.