By our reporter
Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has embarked on sharing of bills (demand letters) to business owners on first party signages in the territory.
The procedure is in line with global practice.
First party signage is signage that is not more than five meters away from the business premises; it is also created and owned by a business owner for their own use; it includes building wall signs, free standing signs, projecting signs and others.
The exercise which began on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 will continue until all business owners/ organisations on first party signages in FCT receive the letters to enable them consequently pay for such.
The Acting Director, DOAS, Tpl. Akanimo Udoh, disclosed these in an interactive session with the staff of the department’s Business Development Division.
Tpl. Udoh noted that in the course of the exercise, the department expects to rake in huge revenue into FCTA’s coffers.
He added that with the exercise, the department will generate more than it did in 2024.
The Ag. Director also revealed that the exercise will enable the department recover outstanding debts owed by many business owners who ran advertisements on first party signages in FCT.
Tpl. Udoh advised business organizations to seize the advantage offered by the demand letters to pay for branding and advertisement for their companies, offices or stations operating across the FCT.
His words: “Payment should be made in favor of the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) through FCTA TSA REMITA to avoid enforcement.”
The Director warned against payment to wrong persons, saying: “Any outdoor advertiser, practitioner, group of individuals within the FCT who pays his/her outdoor fees, bills or levies and so on to any other organization, group or individual other than DOAS, does so at their risk and to their detriment as DOAS shall not be liable for any such illegal payment.”
He solicited for business owners’ co-operation and compliance within two weeks of receipt of the demand notice.