Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has announced the payment of the sum of hundred thousand Naira before bereaved families can paste posters of their dead loved ones in the state.
This came barely two months after the governor imposed ten million tax on candidates of the various political parties who wish to mount or paste their posters anywhere in the state.
The new government policy was contained in a letter addressed to community leaders by the Managing Director of Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Mr Tony Odili Ujubuon͂u.
The letter which was addressed to the chairman of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) ruled a tax of N100,000 for display of burial banners across the state, and varying amounts for posters and other sizes of banners.
It read: “The tariff below serves as a guide to what is payable; sizes, description, amount and duration of the taxes are: 4 X 6FT N5,000 for 2 weeks; 8 X 10FT N20,000 for 2 weeks; above 10FT square are N100,000 monthly; and N5000 for posters for 2 weeks.
“Note that directional signs leading to the venue which can come in 1x 2ft size will not be charged. It is also important to bear in mind that after the duration of this period, any such board that is left standing will attract a penalty in the sum of the amount initially paid. This penalty is paid weekly.
“The Agency, in fulfillment of its statutory obligation, is not unmindful of the menace associated with non-commercial adverts that have literally occupied our out-of-home space. These adverts come in the form of obituary, religious, wedding and sundry flex, banners and posters.”
The agency said the reason for this was to curb the level at which people deface the environment, which has become a threat to the aesthetics of communities.
It said it will work with the town union to collect payment and also enforce it, adding that Soludo has the resolve of making Anambra a liveable city.”
The agency said communities, villages, hamlets, kindreds, churches and town unions would be alerted of the latest development.”
