…Says report is fake news
The Lagos State government has debunked claims that it has raised billboard permit fee to N700 million.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, the government said the claim was a lie and a piece of fake news meant to tarnish the image of the government.
The statement referenced a social media post that said “That is why you hardly see NDC on Lagos roads,” describing it as false and asking that it should be ignored.
According to the statement, billboards are owned by private operators and the most expensive billboard is about N10 million monthly, adding that the government does not run billboards.
It said the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA, was only a regulator, not an operator.
The government said instead of whining, grumblers should follow the rules.
The rules listed in the statement include that to register as an outdoor advertising practitioner in the state, interested persons must obtain a non-refundable form of seven million Naira in the agency, register with ARCON and fulfil all other requirements stipulated in the registration.
The statement said LASAA did not determine the rates charged by billboard owners and that billboard advertisements, including political campaign materials, were required to be displayed on approved advertising structures operated by registered outdoor advertising practitioners with valid LASAA permits.
It added that such structures must comply with established requirements relating to location, structural safety and environmental standards.
According to the statement, applicable regulatory fees for billboard owners are determined by factors, including the size, format and location of advertising structures, with rates varying across designated zones.
It said to practise as an outdoor advertising practitioner in Lagos, a non-refundable one-off fee of N7 million must be paid.
It stated that statutory permit fees payable to LASAA were distinct from the commercial costs of media placement, production and other advertising services provided by registered outdoor advertising practitioners.
The statement said for public awareness and stakeholder engagement, the agency had recently undertaken a public sensitisation on election campaign advertising guidelines in Lagos State, aimed at educating political parties, candidates, advertising practitioners and the general public on the applicable regulatory requirements.
It said LASAA’s mandate was to regulate outdoor advertising, administer permits and ensure compliance with the law and that the agency maintains its responsibility to ensure that all outdoor campaign materials complied with established regulations.
The statement added that after the election campaign activities, LASAA removed all the communication materials to bring back the city to its visually-pleasing state at no cost to the public.
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