Outdoor
Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) will be happy to see improved mutual
relationship with state governments and their agencies, President of OAAN, Mr.
Tunde Adedoyin has said. At an Extraordinary General Meeting held recently in
Abeokuta, Ogun State Mr Adedoyin said: “OAAN members should continue to be at
the right side of the law so as to distinguish themselves as professionals. The
relationship between OAAN, state governments and regulators has continued to
improve over the years and we intend to keep it that way.”
The President
talked extensively on challenges and benefits in states such as Edo, Lagos,
Kaduna, Cross River, Enugu, Anambra and Abuja and said the association is
discussing with the authorities in the states to ensure mutual understanding.
Major stakeholders
in outdoor advertising industry deliberated on issues affecting OAAN, its members
and how to create a balance between operations and regulations as it affects
the profession in Nigeria.
State
governments seeking to attract investments invited OAAN members to invest in
their states with Cross River leading the scramble. Director General of Cross
River State Signage and Agency (CRISSAA), Mr. Stanley Nsemo, gave OAAN members
so many incentives that he got a standing ovation after delivering his paper
titled: ‘Sustainable Partnership for Economic Development.”
Some of the
incentives include discounted charges on processing fees and sites fees, direct
reduced labour cost, income tax of 30% in all sectors, tax holidays of five
years in urban areas and seven years in rural areas, investment in
infrastructure attracts 20% tax holiday on cost of facilities, Industries with
local value-addition enjoy 10% tax concession of up to five years and
additional incentives for businesses in the free trade zones.
Director
General of Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), Mr. Babs Fagade,
who is also a member of OAAN, promised to remove all illegal structures
affecting outdoor advertising for value creation. He also promised to implement
the design of Oyo State outdoor master plan and flexible payment plan for 25%
permit fee already agreed on vacant sites.
The
Extraordinary General Meeting was part of a three day CEO’s Retreat that hosted
a large turnout of outdoor advertising practitioners and regulators from all
over the country.
