Nigeria Content Online

The Edo State government has placed a ban on the defacing of public structures, buildings,

walls, pavements, and signboards, with posters – including political campaign posters.

The state ministry of environment and public utilities, which issued the warning yesterday, said violators will be sanctioned.

A senior official of the ministry said
government is against people “puting posters in public places,
especially where we have worked on, like the King’s Square area.” Some
weeks ago, the ministry had removed all posters from the newly upgraded
square, including campaign posters of senior party officials. The state
government has recently embarked on a campaign to improve the living
environment in the city and the commissioner for environment and public
utilities, Clem Agba, has won the praise of residents of Benin City in
his efforts to give the town a facelift.

To create awareness to that effect, a
press briefing was organised by the ministry and special announcements
were also sent round the various local media houses while a bill was
sponsored to the state house of assembly.

Posters everywhere

Until recently,
posters of churches, product advertisements and political campaigns
have taken over every available space in the city. Hardly any public or
private property was spared, making the city look dirty and unkempt.

Amadasun Osadolor,
whose house was until recently defaced by several posters, said he was
delighted that the government has at last placed a ban on what he
called “the dirty and criminal activities of some people, especially
politicians and church pastors.” Mr. Osadolor said his only concerned
was with government’s ability to keep enforcing the law.

“It remains to be
seen if the government will be able to enforce the law. But I will
personally be very happy if they can enforce the law. It has been long
over due,” he said.