Borno Urban Planning and Development Board (BOSUPDB) says it has begun the removal of illegal billboards, signposts and campaign posters mounted along streets and on structures in Maiduguri metropolis.

The Manager of the Board, Mr Umar Bulamami, stated in a statement on Saturday in Maiduguri.

Bulamami said that the board the removal of the illegal mounted billboards, signposts and posters along streets and on other public structures was in accordance with the state’s laws.

He said that the board had on Sept. 28, issued a notice to businesses and political parties to remove posters and billboards mounted without permission.

“Section 43 (3) of the state BOSUPDB requires that one must obtain approval from the board before erecting bill boards or sign posts.

“BSUPDB is an independent government agency. Our mandate is not only to plan for township development but also to generate revenue for the state.

“As electioneering activities pick up, the board reminded those concerned with mounting of billboards and posters for campaign of what is expected of them.

‘’We wrote to all of them, including the ruling APC, reminding them on the need to comply with rules and regulations,” he said.

Bulamami explained that approval was obtainable sequel to payment of fees by individual, group or organisations as stipulated by the laws governing its operations, adding that restrictions were only applicable to public structures.

He said that the board had adopted effective measures to ensure smooth conduct of the exercise to sanitise and beautify the town.

The manager, therefore, said that the board would not condone illegal erection of bill boards and posters, warning that defaulters would be prosecuted.

According to him, the board had on Nov. 27, notified a private firm, Gams Advertising Agency, to remove its illegal billboards within one week.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Borno chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of destroying its campaign posters and billboards in the metropolis.

The PDP accused the Commissioner of Justice, Alhaji Kakashehu Lawan, for engaging members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to destroy the billboards and posters.

Lawan, however, dismissed the allegations as misleading, saying that removing the billboards was carried out by board in accordance with the existing laws.