By Divine Sam
The Abia State government has announced plans to implement stricter regulations on billboard installations following a tragic incident in Aba where a massive billboard collapsed on moving tricycles, resulting in one fatality and several injuries.
The accident occurred during a heavy downpour on Wednesday afternoon in the Enyimba city, claiming the life of one person and leaving others with serious injuries.
In response, the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Transportation, Obiọma Nwogbe, visited the accident scene and assured residents that immediate steps would be taken to prevent future occurrences. He emphasized the government’s commitment to enforcing stringent safety standards for all billboards and elevated advertising structures across the state.
“This tragic event is both heartbreaking and unacceptable. The state will not only introduce strict legislation on billboard construction but also carry out a comprehensive audit of existing structures,” Nwogbe stated. He added that specialized safety compliance teams would be established to oversee and enforce these new regulations.
Joining the call for accountability, the Chairman of Aba North Local Government Area, Timothy Kalu Iheke, who led the rescue effort, condemned the poor construction of the collapsed billboard. He pointed out that the structure had a weak foundation and should not have been approved in the first place.
“It’s unfortunate that a life was lost due to such negligence. The billboard clearly lacked structural integrity,” Iheke said.
The state government reiterated its commitment to ensuring public safety and holding responsible parties accountable for the tragedy.
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