Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Government says it has concluded integrity tests on high-rising billboards and other outdoor advertising structures across the state and is now set to engage their owners to review the findings.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Wednesday by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Abia Structures Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSSAA), Mrs. Victoria Onwubiko.
According to the statement, the exercise is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental order and prevent future billboard collapses.
The development comes barely a week after the State Government paid N20 million compensation to families of the victims of a billboard collapse in Aba, which claimed the life of a tricycle operator and left his passengers injured.
Onwubiko explained that the tests conducted went beyond routine documentation, focusing instead on structural integrity, durability of materials, stability, load resistance, installation quality and overall safety conditions.
“With the technical testing now completed, ABSSAA will begin direct engagement with billboard owners and outdoor media operators to review findings, advise on required reinforcement or replacement, and verify ownership and installation responsibility,” the statement said.
“Where any structure is found to be weak, unsafe, poorly installed, weather-compromised, or no longer fit for public exposure, the Agency will ensure that immediate remedial action is taken to prevent accidents or loss of life. This is in line with international outdoor media safety standards.”
The statement added that the government had adopted “a preventive, science-based, and safety-first approach to outdoor advertising regulation.”
Reiterating that public safety is non-negotiable, ABSSAA warned that any structure posing potential danger would be pulled down.
The Agency called for full cooperation from billboard owners, installers, and advertising companies, stressing that compliance is now mandatory for continued operation in the state.
The statement reaffirmed the commitment of the Abia State Government to promoting outdoor advertising that enhances business visibility, urban aesthetics, and environmental order without endangering lives or property.
