OAAN condemns removal, sell-off of billboard by KASUPDA
By Felicia Nwosu
The Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) has condemned the ill-treatment meted out on its practitioners by the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA). OAAN described the removal, destruction and selling-off of its members’ billboard structures in some parts of the Kaduna State metropolis despite its appeal to KASUPDA as unnecessary.
According to OAAN, the Association requested that the planned exercise should be put on hold, pending a mutual resolution of all the issues between KASUPDA and all relevant stakeholders, including notable members like the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) and the Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN). This, according to OAAN, did not assuage KASUPDA, as it still went ahead to remove and sell off the boards.
Speaking to MARKETING EDGE, Emmanuel Ajufo, the OAAN President explained that the Association made efforts to dissuade KASUPDA from their action during a joint meeting to no avail.
“Sometime in March, they sent us a removal notice and we visited them on April 23. We had a meeting which we thought brought some positive changes or respite. At that meeting, we agreed on how to go about their urban renewal planning which accommodates only LEDs. They said they have an urban planning that will not accommodate static boards. We told them that it is not that easy, that even in Lagos and Abuja, they still have LEDs standing side by side with static boards, and that LEDs will not sell like that in Kaduna.
“With that development, we agreed to call a stakeholder’s meeting where people who buy the LEDs will be there and we educate them. That was the thrust of our meeting. All of us parted happily thinking that we were all on the same page. Then on Thursday, we got a rumour that they were going to be removing the boards this week, and on Sunday, they rolled out the crest and began removing and cutting down boards,” he said.
Ajufo particularly expressed disappointment over the illegal sell-off of the OAAN member’s business structures to the public without due consideration and consultation.
“The worst part of it is that they do not allow the owners of the boards to take them; instead, they sold them off to buyers of second-handed property. That is what they have done. Now, we have tried to bring it to the public domain. We will be having an industry meeting about it so that we can know the next line of action which may include litigation. We heard from the grape vine that they told the governor of Kaduna State that we are all illegal operators, which is not true.
A lot of us have our permits. It is a bit similar to what is happening in Lagos, though we cannot substantiate that, but there is no smoke without fire. I have hinted the presidents of the various sectors of the situation in Kaduna. We have a new level of collaboration that we all are participating, so we are going to make an industry statement,” Ajufo said.
In a separate statement, Sola Akinsiku, the General Secretary, OAAN, maintained that if such an action is allowed, it would be counter-productive to both the state and to the owners of the billboard structures whose investments in the state would been affected. The Secretary said the Association is in support of government policies, especially developmental policies, but noted that it must also be properly done and not at the detriment of the livelihoods of its residents.
“Our position at the meeting was that, while the government was free to make policies as deemed necessary, such should consider the interest of stakeholders, especially the plight of firms currently doing business in the affected areas, and who have invested hundreds of millions of naira in such billboard structures.
“The fact is to be stressed that while we are not opposed to government’s efforts at environmental renewal, the billboards are not illegal structures as they were installed upon proper approval. It is also important to note that the structures cost a lot of money to fabricate and install,” he stated.
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