A cross-section of Lagos motorists and commuters on their way back from work Monday evening lamented the pervasive darkness resulting from the shut-down of the electronics billboards popularly referred to as (LEDs) by outdoor advertising professionals.

 A statement by the campaign Director of Lagos Commuters Advocacy Group, Mr. Fidelis Ojeih said the development is an unpleasant throw-back on our civilisation. The director said all men of good will should prevail on the masterminds of such activity.

 It will be recalled that the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) had last week embarked on protest march against alleged impunity by the Federal Ministry of Works and some of its agencies for “illegally” erect in lamp-posts and billboards in Lagos metropolis without following laid down rules and regulations.

 Specifically, LASAA and some federal agencies with relevant stakeholders have been locked in controversy over indiscriminate posting of Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate’s President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s billboards and posters on electricity posts in Lagos State.

 Consequent upon the protest, the officials of FERMA, investigations revealed went to remove 7.50KVA generating sets used by the operators of the electronics billboards to power Third Mainland Bridge and their business.

 The statement added that the generator was later dumped at the Lagos toll gate end office of FERMA.

 The action, it was gathered angered operators of the LEDS operators who it was gathered decided to shut down the electronics billboards on the third Mainland axis ostensibly to protect further damage and destruction to their multi-million naira businesses.

 However, commuters and motorists were enraged over the development as it has led to a total black out on the dreaded bridge which hitherto had been illuminated by the electronics billboards.

 Lamenting the ugly development, Mr. Greg Osahon a motorist berated the FERMA officials for playing politics to the gallery by clamping down on the operations of the LED owners despite having granted them relevant approval to carry out their business. He stated that the development has caused a total black out on the bridge.

“This type of politics is unhealthy for the economy, as it will not lead to growth but retardation. You can see now the whole place is in darkness”, Osahon lamented.

 Also commenting on the situation, a commuter and a banker who works on the Island said FERMA high command should intervene to caution its officials as the operators of the LEDs are not merely doing business but also rendering corporate social services by lightening up the Third Mainland Bridge which if allowed to be in darkness at night can be a dangerous zone.

“I will only appeal to the FERMA officials to desist from clamping down on the LEDs or stealing their equipment because the billboards help to illuminate the area”.

 Also in their reaction to the situation, a top official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has decried the exercise, saying that FERMA should remember it is an agency of the Federal Government and not that of the PDP. The official who craved anonymity as his boss was away, pleaded with politicians not to be too desperate on all issues as elections will come and go while the nation and its citizens will remain.