Abia govt aims to turn state into economic hub – Emetu

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

Abia’s Deputy Governor Chief Ikechukwu Emetu says the state government, led by Dr. Alex Otti, is working hard to turn Abia into an economic hub.

Emetu shared this on Thursday in Aba, the state’s commercial heart, during a stakeholders’ forum. The event, themed “The Future of Outdoor Advertising: Challenges and Prospects,” was hosted by the Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSSAA).

Represented by Caleb Ajagba, the governor’s Chief of Staff, Emetu said the government is creating a business-friendly environment. “When you stimulate demand through advertisement, people will want to buy the products, but where there are no access roads, it will be difficult to get the products,” he said.

“The present administration in the state is opening up access roads so that businesses can thrive. The Governor is trying to make Aba and Abia, in general, an economic hub so that advertisements could not only be placed in urban, but also in rural areas,” he added.

Emetu believes the forum will spark a fresh story for advertising in Abia. He urged ad practitioners to show consumers the benefits of their services.

ABSSAA’s Managing Director, Hon. (Mrs.) Victoria Dibunma Onwubiko, said the annual event aims to fix ties with industry players. Past governments had hurt these relationships with unprofessional actions. “We then began to clean the horizon, embarking on the cutting and excavation of all outdoor structures that were either wrongly erected. We decluttered the horizon and by the time we were done, Aba and Umuahia were breathing some fresh air again,” she said.

Onwubiko shared new rules. Billboards over 20 feet by 19 feet owned by churches, schools, or private groups must now go to commercial agencies. This lets the government collect proper fees. ABSSAA will also manage all market billboards. Plus, ad practitioners must pay their yearly dues on time to avoid penalties.

She asked them to follow ABSSAA’s policies, designed for a fair and sustainable ad space.

Dr. Shola Akinsiku, Chairman of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), gave the keynote speech. He said the industry helps consumers and brings in government revenue. “There is the challenge of charlatanism in the industry and also multiple taxation from the side of government,” he noted. He urged ad workers to keep up with market trends to stay in business.