The Rivers state House of Assembly on Monday, passed the Advertisement and Use of State-Owned Properties Prohibition Bill 2022.
The Bill was passed shortly after a public hearing was held on the bill with various stakeholders including Civil Society Organisations and security agencies in attendance.
After the Public Hearing, the committee in charge of the Bill recommended in its report that it be passed.
The Bill sponsored by the Leader of the House and member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency 1, Martin Amaewhule, seeks to prohibit the use of residential buildings for non-residential purposes.
It seeks to prohibit outdoor advertisements, particularly the posting of bills, posters, and other materials, and the use of state-owned institutions or public schools for political campaigns.
It also stipulates a fine of N3 million, N200,000, and N400,000 for contravention of the various sections of the law.
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker, Edison Ehie said the bill is aimed at “sanitizing the state from the use of residential properties for commercial purposes.”
Ehie, who doubled as the chairman of the committee, said the bill is timely, especially where residential areas are being converted into nightclubs.
Meanwhile, the speaker of the House Ikuyi Ibani while commending the public hearing committee asked that the report of the committee be amended to include “a ban on all commercial activities within the Old GRA.”
