Table of Contents
- Integrity Testing of Billboards
- Safety Standards Compliance
- Compensation to Victims
- Engagement with Operators
- Remedial Actions
- Government's Approach
The Abia State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSSAA) has completed integrity testing on all high-rise billboards and outdoor advertising structures across the state.
This initiative, according to the agency, aims to ensure structural integrity, material durability, stability, load resistance, installation quality, and overall safety, in accordance with international outdoor media safety standards.
The completion of the integrity tests follows the agency's facilitation of over N20 million in compensation to the victims of a billboard collapse in Aba on May 28, 2025.
In a statement regarding the completed structural tests, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Mrs. Victoria Onwubiko, mentioned that there would be direct engagement with billboard owners and outdoor media operators to discuss the findings. She also indicated that recommendations would be made for the necessary reinforcement or replacement of any weak structures.
Mrs. Onwubiko emphasized that immediate corrective actions would be taken on structures identified as weak, unsafe, poorly installed, weather-damaged, or unsuitable for public display, in order to prevent future accidents.
She highlighted that the state government has adopted a preventive, science-based, and safety-first approach to regulating outdoor advertising, underlining that the safety of the public in Abia is paramount and cannot be compromised.
“Public safety is non-negotiable, and any structure that poses a potential danger will not be permitted to remain,” Mrs. Onwubiko asserted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the integrity testing conducted by ABSSAA?
The integrity testing aims to ensure the structural integrity, durability, stability, and safety of billboards and outdoor advertising structures in compliance with international safety standards.
What actions will be taken if a billboard is found to be unsafe?
Immediate remedial actions will be taken on structures that are deemed weak, unsafe, or poorly installed to prevent any potential accidents.
How much compensation was paid to the victims of the billboard collapse?
ABSSAA facilitated the payment of over N20 million in compensation to the victims affected by the billboard collapse in Aba.
