The acting managing director of the Rivers State Signage and Advertisement Agency (RISAA), Hon. Anthony Okeah has condemned in strong terms the erection of an illegal billboard with a substandard material led to the death of 5 persons.
The condemnation was made following the recent incident that occured at Rumuosi Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State where 5 persons were electrocuted while four persons were hospitalized, in the process of erecting a billboard by the Faith, Wealth Ministries Int’l (AKA Glory Cloud Assemblies) under a high tension cable.
He described the action of Faith, Wealth Ministries Int’l as a complete negligence, wondering why a Church would undermine the existence of the RISAA and embark on mounting a billboard.
He disclosed that RISAA law doesn’t allow Charitable organizations, Churches and other religious organizations to mount billboards outside their premises because they are regarded as non-profit organization and do not pay for billboards.
Explaining further, he said the law only permits them to have directional signpost, of which the diameter cannot be anything more than 2by4 meter what the agency approved for religious organizations is a small size signpost indicating an arrow where the Church is located,” Why would a Church choose to build such a gigantic billboard outside their premises? Are they marketing?”, he questioned.
According to him, he had severally met with the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to acquaint them with the rules of RISAA.
He ordered that all illegal billboards and signposts be know, and agencies to desist forthwith rather ensure that all necessary requirements and approvals are obtained from the agency before mounting any billboards in the State, as RISAA is the only agency established to control and register outdoor advertisements in the State.
Hon. Okeah advised and pleaded with the public to help RISAA to do their job by notifying the agency and the Police at the slightest suspension or any conduct that is not supposed to be.
He equally urged the Police to ensure they leave no stone unturned in order to uncover the people behind the unfortunate incident that claimed innocent lives.
