FCTA Begins Distribution of Letters on First Party Signages

Tpl Akanimo Udoh, Ag. Director DOAS
By: Ngozi Ufomba.
Following the regularization exercise of ‘First Party Signages’ recently carried out in the nation’s capital, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has embarked on the distribution and issuance of ‘Demand Letters’ to the business owners.
The procedure is carried out to duly capture the data of all firms operating in the nation’s capital and to eliminate firms operating illegitimately at the detriment of the residents and to ensure that firm operating systems is in consonance with global best practice.
Speaking with the staff of the Department’s Business Development Division, the acting Director, Department of Outdoor and Advertisement Services (DOAS), Tpl. Akanimo Udoh, disclosed this in his office, in Abuja.
Udoh disclosed that the exercise which began on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, will continue until all business owners on First Party Signages in FCT receive the letters to enable them make a required payment to this regard.
The Director noted that with this exercise, the department will generate more revenue than the previous years; adding that the exercise will also enable the department recover outstanding debts owed by many business owners who ran advertisements on First Party Signages in FCT.
He advised business organizations to use the opportunity given by the ‘Demand Letters’ to pay for branding and advertisement for their companies, offices or stations operating across the six Area Councils of the nation’s capital.
His words: “Payment should be made in favour of the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) through FCTA TSA REMITA to avoid enforcement.”
The Director warned against payment to wrong persons; noting that any Outdoor Advertiser, Practitioner, group of individuals within the FCT who pays their Outdoor fees, bills or levies and so on, to any other organization, group or individual other than DOAS, does so at their risk and to their detriment as DOAS shall not be liable for any such illegal payment.
He solicited for business owners’ co-operation and compliance within the stipulated period of time which is designed to aid in smooth business operations in the Territory.
Abuja Digest reports that ‘First Party Signage’ is a type of Signage that is situated in not more than five meters away from the business Premises and which is also created and owned by a business owner for their own use, which includes: building wall signs, free standing signs, projecting signs and others.