From Obinna Odogwu and Nwimo Chukwudike, Awka

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has slammed levies of up to N100,000 on bereaved families who may want to paste obituary posters in any part of the state.

Soludo, in a memo issued through the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anambra State Signage and Advertisment Agency, Mr Odili Ujubuon͂u, said that the levies must be paid by anybody or family that wants to publicise an obituary, wedding or other events in the state.

In the letter entitled “Regulation of ceremonial adverts,”  addressed to the National President of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Soludo warned that the new directives must be adhered to.

The document reads: “The tariff below serves as a guide to what is payable; sizes, description, amount and duration of the taxes are: 4 X 6FT N5,000 for 2 weeks; 8 X 10FT N20,000 for 2 weeks; above 10FT square are N100,000 monthly; and N5000 for posters for 2 weeks.

“Note that directional signs leading to the venue which can come in 1x 2ft size will not be charged. It is also important to bear in mind that after the duration of this period, any such board that is left standing will attract a penalty in the sum of the amount initially paid. This penalty is paid weekly.

“The Agency, in fulfillment of its statutory obligation, is not unmindful of the menace associated with non-commercial adverts that have literally occupied our out-of-home space.”