By Sonia Odigie
The Anambra State government on Wednesday slammed “political campaign permit fees” on all Presidential, Senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly candidates who intent to campaign in the State.
Towards this, all Presidential candidates are to pay N10 million, Senatorial candidates – N7 million, Federal House of Representatives – N5 million and State House of Assembly to N1 million if they want to campaign in any part of the State.
The government also placed a ban on all outdoor advertisement or commercial structure in the State, directing that any individual, company or government agency that requires a billboard should henceforth rent the board from the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA).
A statement by Tony Odili Ujubuoñu, Managing Director of Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency said: “Any individual, company or government agency that requires a billboard shall henceforth rent the board from registered practitioners in the State. If a board is erected without proper approval which is given only to registered outdoor advertising agencies by ANSAA, such board or boards will immediately be brought down, confiscated and the defaulter will bear the cost of such enforcement. “
The payment by the candidates, according to the statement, “cover the charges for posting political posters in non-public places, exposure of images on political campaign offices, vehicles, banners, T-Shirts, caps, flags, flyers, wrappers, buntings, kerchiefs, stickers, etc., hold road shows, rallies and use of public address systems in and around the 21 local government areas of the State.”
It however noted that the payment by the candidates “does not include the fees for advertising on billboards which, as noted above, will be paid on their behalf by the registered outdoor advertising practitioner.All payments should be made to the Board of Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS).”
The full statement reads: “Henceforth all outdoor advertisement commercial structures in Anambra State can no longer be erected or owned by individuals, political party candidates,organizations, government agencies, or companies.
“Any individual, company or government agency that requires a billboard shall henceforth rent the board from registered practitioners in the State. If a board is erected without proper approval which is given only to registered outdoor advertising agencies by ANSAA, such board or boards will immediately be brought down, confiscated and the defaulter will bear the cost of such enforcement. Also, it is not the duty of the person renting the billboard to pay ANSAA fees.
“It is the practitioner that pays the statutory annual ANSAA fees for each board.
“Regarding the lifting of Political campaign, the fees expected to be paid to ANSAA for political campaign in the State is the political campaign permit fees which enables the political party candidate to campaign in and around the State for the position he or she is contesting.
“The fees are as follows: Presidential campaign – N10, 000,000, Senatorial Campaign– N7, 500,000, Federal House of Representative Campaign– N5, 000,000, State House of Assembly Campaign– N1, 000,000
“Such fees cover the charges for posting political posters in non-public places, exposure of images on political campaign offices, vehicles, banners, T-Shirts, caps, flags, flyers, wrappers, buntings, kerchiefs, stickers, etc., hold road shows, rallies and use of public address systems in and around the 21 local government areas of the state.
“Note that this does not include the fees for advertising on billboards which, as noted above, will be paid on their behalf by the registered outdoor advertising practitioner.All payments should be made to the Board of Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS).
“Send your proof of payment to the Senior AssetsManager – Mobile Assets, ANSAA Head Office 8, Ekwulobia Street, GRA Awka, or to the Zonal Head of ANSAA offices in any of the following Local Government Areas ( Aguata, Idemmili North, Ihiala, Njikoka, Nnewi-North, Onitsha-North, Onitsha-South and Oyi) or scan and send by email to ansaaenquiries@yahoo.com. A campaign permit will be issued to you afterwards.
“ANSAA does not accept cash payments, please.
Political party candidates must ensure that their agents don’t deface public places like bridges, building, stadia, school walls etc., with their posters.Defaulters will be penalized. We urge all advertisers using billboards to obtain APCON vetting of their campaign messages before posting them. It is a crime to break APCON code of conduct rules. It is not ANSAA’s duty to vet your messages.
“We advise that you consult the Advertising practitioner handling your campaign to contact APCON for such vetting. Once again, we wish you well in all your endeavors, keep it safe, peaceful and orderly.”