By: Ijeoma Sandra, Nnewi.

The Managing Director/CEO of the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), Mr. Tony Odili Ujubuonu, was a guest on People’s Congress, the flagship public-affairs program on Authority 91.9FM Nnewi, on Monday, December 1, 2025.

The discussion centred on public safety, urban cleanliness, and the increasing need for order in outdoor advertising across Anambra State.

Speaking during the interview, Mr. Ujubuonu stressed that ANSAA’s work is purely for public good, noting that the agency exists to ensure safer roads, cleaner communities, and a more organised visual environment across the state.

One of the most important clarifications made during the program was ANSAA’s regulation on event and ceremonial banners.

Mr. Ujubuonu stated clearly that banners and advert signages for ceremonies and events should not be allowed to stay on the roads for more than two weeks.

He explained that leaving such materials beyond two weeks would contribute visual pollution, environmental litter, roadside obstruction, and distortion of the urban landscape.

He added that keeping banners beyond the approved duration is considered illegal, and enforcement measures will continue.

The ANSAA boss also used the platform to educate business owners on the proper procedure for mounting signages.

“Anyone who wishes to put up a business signage must first visit the ANSAA office in their Local Government Area to request a registration form and then follow the approval process” he revealed.

He emphasized that this process would ensure safety compliance, proper structural assessment,standardizeaesthetics, and avoidance of unnecessary penalties

He noted that Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ihiala, and Ekwusigo LGAs are all served by the zonal ANSAA office located at the Nnewi North LGA Secretariat.

When asked about collapsing billboards during storms, the MD explained that ANSAA conducts structural audits and enforces professional engineering standards. The agency, he said has also introduced Environmental Impact Assessment (EIAs) for all spectacular signage structures.

He noted that only registered fabricators with verifiable competence are allowed to erect billboards in the state.

“If a billboard collapses, the agency investigates the structural integrity and holds the owners accountable”he disclosed.

Responding to questions about political advertisements, Mr. Ujubuonu assured the public that ANSAA maintains fairness, neutrality, and equal opportunity for all political parties.

He reiterated that posters must be placed only in approved areas, no posters should be pasted on public infrastructure, defacement of public property attracts fines and hate speech or inciting messages will not be tolerated.

The MD noted that ANSAA’s enforcement is not designed to punish people but to ensure order.

“Public order is not harassment. It is responsibility. We sensitize before we enforce” he added.

He added that illegal signages may be removed without prior notice where public safety is threatened.

For SMEs, he announced that ANSAA is working to simplify the approval process with better documentation, clearer fee structure, faster response times, and community-level sensitization drives.

He encouraged business owners to take advantage of the agency’s openness.

“Come to the office, ask questions, get guidance. ANSAA is here to help, not to frustrate” he noted.

The phone lines were active throughout the live program, with callers raising concerns about; unauthorized posters on electric poles, litter caused by outdated church banners, how to regularize existing shop signboards, and safety regulations for digital screens.

The MD responded comprehensively, assuring residents that ANSAA will intensify public awareness to reduce confusion about its operations.

The conversation underscored the importance of responsible signage in keeping Anambra safe, clean, and visually organized.

The host, Caleb Okeke-Enyobi (Nkan’uzu Anaedo), thanked the MD for bringing clarity to an issue many residents are uninformed about, urging the public to follow due process in all outdoor advertising activities.