The Kano State Signage and Advertisement Agency has given a one-week ultimatum to banks, telecommunications companies, and mobile phone firms to remove unauthorized billboard advertisements. The agency’s Director-General, Kabir Dakata, announced this while addressing journalists in Kano, stating that the affected institutions had been served with a court order to comply with the directive.

The court order follows the companies’ failure to meet the legal requirements governing outdoor advertisement in the state. According to Mr. Dakata, the agency had visited several banks, telecommunications firms, and mobile phone companies, serving them with the court order. The order directs the companies to remove their advertisement billboards, as they failed to comply with the law.

If the companies fail to remove the billboards within the given timeframe, the agency will remove them on behalf of the court, with the companies bearing the cost of removal as provided by law. Mr. Dakata stated that the agency had given the companies until next week to comply, in the spirit of fairness.

The agency has established clear procedures for dealing with organizations responsible for paying government advertisement levies. After the relevant law came into effect, the agency directed all billboard owners to register within one month. However, many have failed to meet this requirement, prompting the agency to enforce the legal provisions requiring them to pay the government the appropriate advertisement fees.

The move is part of the agency’s efforts to regulate outdoor advertising in the state and ensure that companies comply with the relevant laws and regulations. The Kano State Signage and Advertisement Agency is responsible for regulating and monitoring outdoor advertising in the state, including billboards, signage, and other forms of outdoor advertisement.

The agency’s actions are aimed at promoting a safe and orderly environment for outdoor advertising, while also generating revenue for the state government. The removal of unauthorized billboards is expected to improve the aesthetic appeal of the city and reduce the risk of accidents caused by poorly maintained or illegally erected billboards. With the one-week ultimatum, the affected companies are expected to take immediate action to comply with the court order and avoid any further action by the agency.