Ebonyi justifies decision to demolish billboards

Ebonyi State government has justified its decision to mark billboards erected in Abakaliki and other cities for demolition.

Commissioner for the Environment Chief Moses Nome told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki most billboard owners failed to meet the stipulated conditions before their erection.

He said most billboard owners failed to pay tariff to the government, as agreed, before the billboards were erected.

“Most of the billboards are substandard. The Governor Dave Umahi administration has adopted a standard for the erection of billboards and signposts.

“This will enable the state compete with other states in aesthetic and even outshine them,” Nome said.

The commissioner said the government took steps to address the menace of dilapidated structures in Abakaliki and other towns.

”We have met house owners under the aegis of Ebonyi State Landlords Association, to inform them of our plans to remodel Abakaliki and other towns.

“We instruct them that the frontage of houses on major roads be cemented, to stop erosion.

“We arrange with landlords, who do not have money to conform to our designs, to renovate such buildings and deduct the cost from their rents until they recoup their expenditure,” he said.

Nome said the government acquainted the landlords with its intention to paint fences of buildings, adding that the exercise had started.

”Those who have money to paint their buildings can still do so, while those who don’t have money can register with us so that the painting can be done,” he said.

The commissioner said those who had registered with the government would have their buildings renovated.

”We will fence, plaster and paint the buildings. This partnership will debunk the wrong notion in certain quarters that the government wants to confiscate the beneficiaries’ buildings,” Nome said.