23rd March, 2012
Ahead of this year’s rainy season which will commence soon, the Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency, LASAA has intensified efforts to identify defective outdoor structures that might constitute harm to the life and property of Lagosians.
The Managing Director, George K. Noah, made this disclosure whilst briefing members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on the agency’s plan of action for the year and its preparedness for the rains during a plenary session.
It will be recalled that the 13 February 2012 rainstorm in the state destroyed several billboards, especially those that were not LASAA compliant.
Out of the 36 structures damaged by the storm, 28 were within military formations.
Briefing the lawmakers, the MD assured that the agency is taking proactive steps to avoid a recurrence of the damage caused by the storm last Month.
One of the steps being taken is to continue to dialogue with the military on the need to regularize structures within their formations to forestall future mishaps.
Mr. Noah also informed the legislators that ‘‘our agency is reviewing the materials for street lamp pole advertisements in order to ensure the safety of citizens.’’
He stated that the new technical specifications for the advertisements will soon be unveiled to practitioners and that aluminium and metallic frames will be removed from areas of high wind pressure.
Such areas include the Third Mainland Bridge and Ahmadu Bello Way.
The Managing Director also touched on the maintenance of structures on Federal roads in his presentation.
He stated that ‘‘the agency will continue to dialogue with the Federal Government on the importance of transferring the maintenance and operation of the lamp posts to the Lagos State Government,’’ noting that this will ensure their proper maintenance.
Responding, the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Kolawole Taiwo, advised the agency to make sure it collaborates with other parastatals of the state government to have a clean and beautiful Lagos.
On another note LASAA has confirmed the appointment of Mr Olumide Michael Sogunle as the Deputy Managing Director of the Agency.
A 1991 English graduate of Lagos State University, Sogunle is the pioneer Deputy Managing Director of the agency.
He joined LASAA as the Head of Monitoring & Inspection and later became Assistant General Manager, Registry before his present appointment which takes immediate effect.
Prior to his joining LASAA, Sogunle had gained experience in the Banking Industry as Business Development Manager, Dopemu Branch; Manager, Institutional Banking and Senior Corporate Affairs Officer all in Skye Bank Plc (formerly Eko International Bank).
Sogunle holds a Masters’ degree in Marketing, bachelor’s degree in English Language and a professional diploma in Journalism.
He had practical work experience at radio Lagos as a Sub-editor, Reporter and presenter.
The newly appointed Deputy Managing Director has attended many courses home and abroad.