The Ondo State Government has warned political candidates, political parties, individuals, corporate organisations, businesses and advertising practitioners against pasting unauthorised advertisement materials on public facilities.
Yòmí Oyékàn, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Engagement, Signage and Advertisement, gave the warning in a statement on Sunday in Akure.
Oyékàn stated that the practice constitutes an abuse of public infrastructure, undermines environmental aesthetics and contributes to the indiscriminate defacement of public property.
The statement read in full:
“The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Engagement, Signage and Advertisement wishes to caution political candidates, political parties, individuals, corporate organisations, businesses and advertising practitioners against the unauthorised pasting, mounting or display of campaign posters, promotional stickers, handbills and other advertisement materials on Government buildings and public infrastructure across Ondo State.
“This practice is unacceptable and constitutes an abuse of public infrastructure, undermines environmental aesthetics and contributes to the indiscriminate defacement of public property.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Government buildings and infrastructure include, but are not limited to:
1. Government Secretariat buildings and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
2. Public schools, hospitals and other government-owned institutions.
3. Bridges, flyovers and pedestrian crossings.
4. Road medians, kerbs and roundabouts.
5. Streetlight poles and traffic control infrastructure.
6. Public fences, perimeter walls and government estates.
7. Public parks, recreational facilities and open spaces.
8. Government-owned markets, motor parks and transport facilities.
9. Drainage channels, culverts and other public utilities.
10. Public monuments and designated heritage sites.
“The Office wishes to emphasise that no political ambition, commercial interest, religious activity or personal promotion grants anyone the right to deface public infrastructure or utilise government property for advertisement without the requisite approval.
“All concerned are therefore directed to desist immediately from this practice and remove any unauthorised advertisement materials already placed on such infrastructure.
“Going forward, offenders risk applicable statutory fines, removal of such materials at their expense and other enforcement measures in accordance with existing laws and regulations governing outdoor advertising and public infrastructure in Ondo State.
“The Office remains committed to ensuring an orderly, attractive and properly regulated outdoor advertising environment in line with the urban development vision of the Ondo State Government.
“Public infrastructure belongs to everyone. Its protection is a collective responsibility.
“All political stakeholders, businesses and members of the public are urged to comply accordingly.”
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