Oyo State House of Assembly has moved to regulate indiscriminate erection of advertisement structures and billboards as part of measures to safeguard road users and guarantee their safety while commuting.

This was contained in a motion sponsored by the Speaker, Rt. Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin representing Ibarapa East state constituency and presented on the floor of the House during Tuesday’s plenary sitting on May 7.

The motion was co-sponsored by Honorables Lekan Abiola and Modiu Akande representing Akinyele I and Ibadan South East II respectively.

The Motion titled “NEED TO REGULATE INDISCRIMINATE ERECTION OF ADVERTISEMENT STRUCTURES PARTICULARLY BILLBOARDS TO SAFEGUARD SAFETY OF ROAD USERS AND PROTECT ENVIRONMENTAL AESTHETICS OF THE STATE” Aims to ensure safety on the road as well as preserve the environment.

According to the motion, the House acknowledged that erection of billboards for outdoor advertising has been one of the most potent and modern ways of reaching a large audience across the world. It however, disclosed that the indiscriminate erection of advertisement structures along roadsides in Oyo State poses significant risks to the safety of road users and compromises the environmental aesthetics of the state.

Presenting the motion, Hon. Abiola stated that the proliferation of unregulated advertisement structures contributes to visual pollution, obstructs visibility, and distracts drivers, thus increasing the likelihood of accidents and fatalities on our roads.

“From political ones promoting the candidature of political office seekers to products advertising and events publicizing, fifty (50) feet to hundred (100) feet high billboards are placed and hung on poles at strategic locations and places in the State.” Hon. Abiola stated.

Speaking further, the lawmaker stated that uncontrolled advertisement structures often encroach upon public spaces, sidewalks, and road reserves, impeding pedestrian movement and exacerbating traffic congestion.

In his words: “The trend across the State is disturbing because people erect billboards indiscriminately without recourse to safety and the aesthetic of the environment. There is no doubt that this development will continue to undermine the beautification efforts of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde in the last 5years.

“Further aware that most of these billboards are erected where they impede traffic flow and distract attention of road users. It is equally observed that most of these billboards are erected and constructed with substandard materials hence they are easily toppled and destroyed by reckless drivers, windstorms, heavy rains among others.

“In the light of the above, there is the need to halt and regulate construction of new billboards and strictly regulate the existing ones.

” The House observes that the proliferation of advertisement structures diminishes the environmental beauty and cultural heritage of Oyo State and it is negatively impacting tourism and community well-being. Hence, the need for the Government to ensure and enforce comprehensive regulations to control the erection, placement, and maintenance of advertisement structures in the State.”

While commending Governor Seyi Makinde for the various projects and programs geared towards enhancing the aesthetics of the environment across the state, the House however, urged the executive arm of government through the Oyo State Signage Agency (OYSAA) to ensure proper monitoring, positioning and erection of billboards to ensure adherence to laid down procedures.

Parts of the resolutions of the House also include to regulate and control indiscriminate erection of billboards across the State so as to protect the aesthetics of our environment, remove non-conforming billboards especially those located in Central Business Districts such as Dugbe, Mokola, and other areas and those that pose threats to the safety of road users among others.