Abia State Advertising and Signage Agency, ABSAA, has said that the advert company whose billboard crashed and killed a resident of Aba a few weeks ago, has offset the full cost of the victim’s burial.
ABSAA also said that the company is in advanced discussion with the State government for the payment of compensation to the injured victims and other affected parties.
The Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer of ABSAA, Mrs Victoria Dibunma Onwubiko who made this known in a press statement, said that her agency did not keep silence on its responsibilities or abandoned the victims as was claimed by some people.
She noted that ABSAA as the government agency responsible for regulating outdoor advertising, has been working tirelessly behind the scenes, engaging with the owners of the collapsed structure, who she said, has been cooperating fully with the agency and other relevant authorities.
“So far, they have offset the full cost of the burial of the deceased and entered into advanced discussions with the Government regarding compensation for the injured and other affected parties”, Onwubiko said.
According to her, ABSSAA is also reviewing existing billboard structures across Abia State to ensure strict compliance with safety standards, noting that her office is intensifying inspections, enforcing structural audits, and working to remove any unapproved or potentially hazardous installations.
She added that personnel from her agency joined in the rescue and evacuation of injured victims to hospital.
“Our priority is and will always be, the safety of lives and property in Abia State.
“In due course, we will provide the public with a detailed report on the outcome of our engagements and the steps being taken to ensure justice and reform”, the ABSAA Managing Director said.
