Anambra State government appears prepared to generate revenue from the 2023 general elections campaign.
The Light of The Nation has announced that Presidential candidates for the 2023 election will pay as much as N10 million for permission to paste campaign posters in the state’s territory.
The MD/CEO of Anambra Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSAA), Tony Odili Ujubuonu, made the decision on Friday in Awka, the state’s capital.
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Also affected by the decision are both Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates. According to the announcement, all the Senatorial candidates across board will pay N7 million, House of Representatives candidates will pay N5 million, while State Assembly candidates will pay N1 million.
The Nation reported that the state also issued notice for the costs for out of home media and mobile advertising, pegging them at N100,000 for 48 sheets billboards, N500,000 for spectacular billboards, N500,000 gantry displays; N100,000 for irregular shaped billboard; N50,000 for branded vehicle; and N5,000 for Keke rear branding.
In the notice, the Anambra State government equally banned the use of posters on bridges and road demarcations along the streets of the state.
Ujubuonu said the pasting of campaign posters on street light poles, round-about and other public buildings had been prohibited.
According to the public notice, materials in advert forms such as posters, public address system, banners, fliers, bunting, T-shirts, caps and sundries must be fully paid for and approved by the government authorities.
Ujubuonu said that the payment of posters should be made to the government revenue account before they could be pasted.
He noted that politicians who default in the payments would face legal prosecution before election.
“As campaign for 2023 general election officially commences next month, September; Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), in charge of all forms of Advertising in the state wishes to bring some important information to your notice.
“That posting of posters on bridges, road demarcations; street light poles, round-abouts and public buildings remain prohibited.
“That every campaign material and advert forms such as posters, public address systems, Banners, Fliers, Buntings, T-shirts, caps and sundries must be duly approved for after full payment of the requisite fee.
“That every billboard must be displayed through a registered advertising practitioner after the advertising content has been vetted by the APCON” the notice said.
The Anambra State government has been looking for ways to boost its revenue generation since governor Charles Soludo took office. He had decried meeting empty treasury and has sought to borrow N100 billion within his first 100 days in office.
Among the steps the State government has taken to boost its revenue is the increment in levies imposed on commercial vehicles operators.
However, it is not clear how the aspirants will respond to this new approach that has been described as outrageous.