Abia Launches Statewide Demolition of Unsafe Billboards Following Fatal Collapse

In a bold move to enhance public safety, the Abia State Structures for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA) has commenced a statewide crackdown on structurally unsafe billboards and signage across the state.

This intensified operation, launched earlier in the week, aims to identify and dismantle hazardous advertising structures, particularly those at risk of collapse. The initiative follows a recent tragic incident at Salad Market along Factory Road in Aba, where a faulty billboard installation led to the death of one person and left several others injured.

In response, ABSSAA has already taken action by removing a dangerously corroded high-rise billboard at Ehere Market, Ogbor Hill, Aba. According to the agency’s Managing Director and CEO, Victoria Onwubiko, the move is part of a broader proactive strategy to prevent further tragedies.

“All structure owners must now submit technical drawings of their installations. Failure to comply will result in the immediate removal and reconstruction of the structures in line with approved safety standards,” Onwubiko warned.

As part of the new enforcement framework, ABSSAA has ordered a technical audit of all existing billboard structures. Any found to be unstable will be dismantled without delay. Moving forward, only certified engineers will oversee the installation of new billboards, especially in densely populated urban areas. Onwubiko reaffirmed that public safety remains the government’s top priority and that structural safety compliance will be strictly enforced without exceptions.