ENSSAA Begins Statewide Clampdown on Illegal Billboards After Enugu North By-Election

Following the conclusion of Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency, ENSSAA, has announced a statewide enforcement operation to remove all unauthorized outdoor advertisements across the State. 

General Manager of the agency, Mr. Francis Aninwike, in a statement on Monday, said that the exercise will target illegal posters, billboards, banners, political campaign materials, and other signage erected without ENSSAA’s approval and permits. 

According to Aninwike, the agency deliberately suspended enforcement in recent weeks to avoid politicizing the exercise during the by-election. He stressed that the clampdown is a “long-overdue regulatory action” under the ENSSAA Law 2016, not targeted at any individual or political group.

“No individual, political party, candidate, organization, or business is permitted to erect, display, or paste advertisements, including political campaign materials, without first obtaining the approval of the Agency,” he said. 

The ENSSAA boss noted that unauthorized advertisements cause visual pollution, deface public infrastructure, and undermine environmental aesthetics. Political parties, candidates, and businesses were advised to immediately regularize their adverts and obtain the necessary permits.

To ensure smooth operations, Aninwike said armed police escorts will accompany ENSSAA teams. The enforcement will run daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. across Enugu metropolis and all 17 local government areas.

The agency urged residents to cooperate with officials and refrain from obstructing them while on duty, reiterating its commitment to sanitizing the outdoor advertising space and ensuring compliance with approved standards.