Palpable fears seem to have gripped practitioners in the out-of-home advertising sector, especially those plying their trades in the Federal Capital Territory, over the recent ‘Stop Work’ order issued by the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS), FCTA.

The agency had, In a statement tagged ‘Notice on Illegal and Uncontrolled Billboard Installations Within FCT’, complained about uncontrolled installation of billboards that failed to conform to standard regulations for setting out and structural alignment as approved in the Development Control manual of the city.

Consequently, the Department had issued a stop work order to all ongoing billboard installations activities, with immediate effect, while it also disclosed its plans to carry out proper alignment of billboards and technical review of all billboards placement to ensure proper set out and alignment in accordance with approved guidelines.

Not a few practitioners, who spoke with the correspondents on the development saw this as another onslaught on the multi-billion naira practice.

They argued that the directives had become necessary, since the billboards, in the FCT were no longer enhancing the aesthetics of the city, but doing the exact opposite.

They however believed if the issues are not quickly and properly addressed, and those involved brought to justice, the outdoor advertising business, running into billions of Naira may be on its way down.

A Lagos-based practitioner, who spoke with Nigerian Tribune on the condition of anonymity, stated that the recent order issued to practitioners by DOAS had become imperative.

“Of late, it was clear that the practice had been hijacked by charlatans and people who no longer follow the rules guiding installations of billboards in the state.

“We just pray they don’t take us back to the El-Rufai time, when all the billboards were taken down, then, for violating the rules. Then investments running into billions of Naira were lost. Some lost their lives, due to the shock occasioned by the bringing down of those billboards, while those that survived never really recovered from the huge loss suffered,” the practitioner, who also has some of his billboards in Abuja, stated.

Giving the likely implications of the development for the outdoor ad business, another practitioner, who would also not want his name in print, believed close to 5,000 jobs both direct and indirect, may be affected, it the issue is not amicably resolved.

“Many of those outdoor ad companies, in Lagos, have some billboards that generate substantial revenue from here for them. Interestingly, some of them even use what they make here to fund their operations In Lagos. That means if this is not resolved, besides affecting their business here, their operations in Lagos could also come to a standstill, thereby putting the multi-billion investments at risk,” he stated.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the President of Out of Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Mr. Sola Alinsiku, believed DOAS’ step had become necessary, since charlatans are gradually creeping into the profession.

He therefore appealed to the agency to ensure the law-abiding practitioners are not made to suffer in their attempt to check the activities of those charlatans.

“We support every effort of the agency at ensuring sanity within the outdoor ad space. That is why we will appeal to practitioners to ensure they play by the rule.

“Practitioners must also know that the consequences of not complying with the law are very dire. It is not something one will wish for the practice at a time like this,” he added. (Nigerian Tribune)