By Solomon OKPO
The Advertising Practitioners Association, Uyo Chapter (APAUCH), on Monday staged a peaceful protest in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, against what they described as an illegal and dangerous billboard erected at Itiam Etoi, near the Four-Lane traffic light.
Leading the protest, the Chairman of APAUCH, Mr. Uwem Okon Archibong, said the demonstration was to demand the immediate demolition of the billboard and a halt to further erection of such structures across the state.
Archibong stressed that the billboard, poorly constructed and lacking proper safety standards, poses a direct threat to the lives of residents and road users. He warned that allowing unqualified individuals to mount such structures could lead to road crashes, property damage, and possible loss of lives.
“Those handling this project are not professionals. Outdoor advertising is a specialized practice, and quacks should not be allowed to endanger lives or obstruct the visibility of drivers and pedestrians,” Archibong declared.
The protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions such as “Say No to Quackery,” “We Are Professional Practitioners,” “Stop Endangering Lives,” and “Our City Cannot Be Defaced With Substandard Billboards,” appealed to Governor Umo Eno to intervene and curb the activities of infiltrators in the industry.
They maintained that enforcing professionalism in outdoor advertising is critical not only to safeguard lives but also to preserve the beauty and orderliness of Uyo, the state capital.
