By Ifedamola Henry, Lokoja
The Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KOSSAA) says it is ready to meet with political parties to review the fees earlier released for Campaign materials ahead of commencement of campaigns for the forthcoming Local Government Polls and General Election.
The General Manager of the Agency, Mr. Richard Osaseyi, made this known while speaking on State of Kogi, a Radio Kogi audience-participatory programme.
Last week, Kogi State Government released fees for respective Political Party Candidates for placement of Billboards, Posters and other Campaign materials with Presidential Candidates expected to pay one hundred and fifty million naira.
Those contesting for the Senate seat will pay fifty million naira while House of Representatives Candidates will pay thirty million naira with House of Assembly Candidates, five million naira with Chairmanship Candidates, two million naira while councillor ship candidates will pay three hundred thousand naira.
The announcement hit up the polity with complaints from some Political parties.
Mr. Osaseyi explained that the plan to meet with those concern was aimed at ensuring proper understanding of the special electoral campaign guidelines and reaching an acceptable position with political parties on the campaign fees.
He said the agency had invited representatives of political parties and other stakeholders to dialogue on the guidelines, stressing that the engagement became necessary as political activities intensify across the state.
The General Manager maintained that the regulations were not targeted at opposition parties, but were designed to ensure compliance with the state’s laws governing outdoor advertising and to regulate the display of campaign materials.
He explained that political parties and candidates including the ruling All Progressives Congress are required to obtain the necessary approvals before erecting billboards or displaying campaign advertisements.
Mr. Osaseyi disclosed that the agency had temporarily suspended enforcement to allow further discussions with political parties and advertising practitioners, adding that the proposed charges had already been reviewed and reduced following consultations with relevant authorities.
He however warned that candidates and political parties that fail to comply with the approved regulations would not be allowed to display campaign advertisements in the state, as the agency has enforcement teams across the twenty-one local government areas.
He called on the people to invest in quality outdoor advertisements to grow the business.
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