Unpaid Signage Fees: FCTA Cracks Down On Defaulting Banks, Filling Stations

By: Ngozi Ufomba & Chinwe Okolonta

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has concluded plans to crack down on defaulting businesses over unpaid signage fees in the nation’s capital.

Acting Director of the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS),
Akanimo Udoh, gave this hint of the crack down, after a 14 demand notice to businesses elapsed.

Accordingly, the enforcement operation is expected to target large-scale defaulting businesses.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Enforcement (MEE) team, in collaboration with the Business Development Division (BDD),
of DOAS has been deployed to focus on filling stations and financial institutions—classified as first-party clients.

He said that the enforcement drive is part of DOAS’s legal mandate to regulate and oversee outdoor advertisements and signage across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to him, the objective is to recover outstanding statutory charges from non-compliant businesses.

His words: “The crackdown is a follow up to 14-Day Demand Notice and accompanying bills issued to affected businesses, most of which have failed to comply.

“The enforcement action follows weeks of preparatory work, including data capturing, distribution of Demand Notices, and issuance of regularization letters to educate businesses on compliance requirements,” the Director said.

Udoh remarked that DOAS officials have also marked some unauthorized signages with an ❌ symbol, signaling violations.

He reiterated that with the expiration of the Demand Notice period, enforcement has now commenced in full force.

The Director acknowledged the challenges posed by some unauthorized agents, who are also engaging businesses on the streets.

He, however, said that despite this challenges, DOAS remains resolute in carrying out its mandate to generate revenue and ensure compliance with Outdoor Advertisement Regulations.

“The enforcement exercise is expected to continue until all identified defaulters settle their obligations,” he added.