Benue gives two-week ultimatum to owners of unauthorised billboards

The Benue State Government has issued a two-week ultimatum to those who have erected unauthorized billboards across the state. This was announced by the Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, in a statement on Tuesday. The billboards were put up without the necessary permits from the Signage and Advertisement Agency, clearance from the Urban Development Board, or payment of the required fees.

Iorpev emphasized that this practice violates the law, deprives the state of legitimate revenue, endangers public safety, and hinders the orderly development of towns and cities. He acknowledged that many may have acted out of ignorance of the law rather than deliberate defiance. The government is providing a grace period of two weeks, starting from October 6, 2026, for all billboard owners and operators to correct their actions.

This involves approaching the Benue State Signage and Advertisement Agency to initiate the permit process, obtaining clearance from the Urban Development Board, and paying all necessary fees. Failure to regularize the billboards by the set date of October 20, 2026, will result in enforcement teams removing them at the owners' expense, with no further notice given.

Iorpev stressed that every Benue citizen should strive to comply with the law and adhere to the deadline, as there will be no sympathy or exceptions for those who ignore the ultimatum.