Chairmen of Local Government Councils in Akwa Ibom State have rejected the proposed enactment of a bill to regulate outdoor advertisement platforms by the State House of Assembly, arguing that doing so would translate to trampling on the rights of local governments and a complete departure from the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
Speaking at the Public hearing at the state Assembly Complex on a bill for a Law to make provisions for the regulation of outdoor structures and advertisement in Akwa Ibom State and other matters connected therewith; the Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Akwa Ibom Chapter, Hon. Iniobong Robson said the local government councils in Nigeria are constitutionally empowered with regulatory power for outdoor structures and advertisement.
He said despite the powers of the House of Assembly to make laws for local governments and the state, attempting to enact regulatory laws on outdoor structure and advertisement in local governments is inconsistent with the Constitution and to that extent will be null and void.
Robson who is also the Executive Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government Council cited the preeminence of the Constitution of the country, arguing that the control and regulation of outdoor advertisement is exclusively the responsibility of the respective local government councils.
He expressed displeasure over the Ministry of Environment’s move to encroach on the powers granted local government councils in Nigeria by the Constitution and threatened to arrest and prosecute anyone who tries to regulate outdoor advertisement in the state other than the local government councils or its authorized agents.
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However the Akwa Ibom State ALGON Chairman suggested that since they are all working together for the good of the state, officials of the state Ministry of Environment should liaise with the council chairmen and chart a way forward on the matter.
He also called on the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly not to bother considering the Bill which is aimed at ensuring that no person shall establish or operate any billboard or commercial advertising outfit without being a member of a recognized advertising body or obtaining permission from the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment, as it is not consistent with the Constitution.
Earlier, the Deputy Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Environment; Rt. Hon. Mark Esset who presided over the event assured all contributors that the issues and suggestions raised at the Public Hearing by stakeholders will be considered at the committee level before sending a report to the House.
He said diverse opinions as may be witnessed during the exercise actually accentuate democratic practices.
