Why we ordered removal of illegal billboards in Gombe —Commissioner

The Gombe State government has said that it ordered the removal of illegal billboards within the state capital owing to the environmental hazards they constitute.
The State’s Commissioner for Information, Hon Umar Ahmed Suleiman, who made this clarification, disclosed that the billboards were illegally mounted across the state without approval from the relevant authority, even as he stated that they accrue no revenue to the state.
In a statement, Suleiman said: “These billboards are mounted recklessly within the state capital posing serious threat to the environment. Gombe city is known as one of the cleanest and environmental-friendly capitals in the country. However, these billboards are defacing the city and more dangerously is the fact that they pose serious threat to road users, especially drivers as some of the billboards are positioned in ways that obstruct the view of drivers. Some of these billboards are also not well-erected and can fall at any time, especially during this rainy season.”
According to the statement, the State government ordered the concerned agency of government to remove all the billboards, irrespective of political parties or affiliations.
He berated the state chapter of the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC), for playing politics with the genuine move of the government.
“It is pathetic that the opposition in the state is playing politics with this laudable move. Are they not happy that Gombe is rated as one of the cleanest states in Nigeria? Are they not proud of the exemplary leadership of His Excellency, Gov. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo that has made Gombe the safest state in the North-East and beyond? Will they be happy if some of these illegal billboards cause accidents in the state?
“Let me restate that this move is not targeted at anyone or group as claimed by the APC. It is surprising that with the much-touted campaign of change, legality and respect for the rule of law by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government, the APC in the state is encouraging illegality, uncleanliness and disregard for law and orders,” he added.
Suleiman maintained that the Peoples Democratic Party government in the state will continue to be proactive and meet the yearnings of the electorates, stressing that Gombe electorates and Nigerians are proud of the achievement of Gov Dankwambo.

Recalled that the APC accused the PDP of removing the billboards and posters of President Muhammadu Buhari and other members of the party in the state, saying no law prohibits the party from displaying its posters.