Delta Govt Orders Strict Enforcement of Outdoor Advertising Laws in Delta

The Delta State Government has directed the Delta State Signage and Advertisement Agency (DESSAA) to enforce existing laws regulating outdoor advertising across the state.

Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori gave the directive as part of efforts to sanitize the outdoor advertising space and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Eze Emu, who noted that the move aligns with extant laws empowering DESSAA to regulate advertising practices in Delta State.

According to the statement, several measures have been introduced to strengthen compliance among operators in the sector.

Top among them is the introduction of “Operation Tag Your Boards,” which mandates that all billboard structures must clearly display the emblem or company name of their owners or practitioners.

Practitioners are also required to submit their Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) certificates to the Office of the Director of Administration at DESSAA.

In addition, operators must provide a comprehensive list of their advertising sites along with valid approvals issued by the agency.

The government directed all outdoor advertising practitioners to comply with the new requirements within seven days from the date of the notice.

Dr. Emu stressed that the measures have become necessary to reposition the sector and end what he described as a “free-for-all” approach in outdoor advertising operations.

He noted that stricter regulation would improve the visual appeal of cities and towns across the state, while also addressing environmental concerns caused by the indiscriminate clustering of billboards.

The SSG warned that failure to comply within the stipulated timeline would be treated as gross defiance of government directives, adding that appropriate sanctions would be imposed on erring operators.

He further advised stakeholders to direct enquiries to designated contact lines: 08157012430; 09097194340; 08088338970; 07067733195 or visit the DESSAA office located at Block 11B, Old Secretariat, Summit Road, Asaba.