Anambra State Government has refuted a news report purporting that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has introduced a levy of one hundred thousand naira for display of burial banners and posters across the state.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, said the news report must have emanated from a misreading of a message sent to the National President, Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU, by the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency, ANSAA, Mr. Tony Ujubuonu, on the regulation of ceremonial adverts in the state.
Commissioner Nwosu reminded the general public that the Anambra State House of Assembly had back in 2019, long before the coming to power of Governor Soludo, enacted Anambra State Burial/ Funeral Ceremonial Control Law, 2019, which came into force on the ninth of April, 2019.
He further explained that in line with the Signage structure of the extant law, Mr. Ujubuonu had only written to the National President of ASATU to ensure that the town unions work in concord with the government as per burial and funeral ceremonies and dues.
The dues, according to Mr. Ujubuonu are four by six feet for five thousand naira for two weeks; eight by ten feet for twenty thousand naira for two weeks; above ten feet square for one hundred thousand naira monthly; and five thousand naira for posters for two weeks.
The Information Commissioner reiterated that it is not true that Governor Soludo slammed a one hundred thousand naira levy on anybody in Anambra State, and explained that anybody who wants to erect a billboard for the burial of a loved one ought to do that through an accredited member of Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN, and pay the requisite rates.
The statement explained that Governor Soludo’s drive to make Anambra State a liveable and prosperous megacity is anchored on the rule of law and order.
Commissioner Nwosu further said that in line with Mr. Governor’s insistence on always engaging all stakeholders, that discussions are still ongoing with the town unions to ensure the application of the policy in a decent and humane manner before enforcement begins from first November 2022, adding that any journalist determined to publish accurate reports can always consult the Anambra State Ministry of Information to be properly informed.
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