The Rivers State Government has shut down an electronic billboard in the Garrison area of the state capital, Port Harcourt, for displaying an offensive video.
Motorists and commuters were shocked on Thursday evening when the LED billboard for about sixty seconds showed scenes from a pornographic video which elicited a lot of reactions.
Most passersby stood to watch the video in amazement while some drivers also slowed down to catch a glimpse of it, causing huge traffic along that axis of the busy Port Harcourt/Aba Express road.
Worried by the development, the government through the Rivers State Signage and Advertisement Agency (RISSA), arrested two staff of the company operating the billboard.
Acting Chairman of RISAA, Hon. Tony Okeah, said investigations would be carried out to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the display of such nude video in a public space.
He said upon the completion of the investigation the affected company will be charged to court but until then the LED billboard will remain shut down for causing a public nuisance.
Okeah maintained that it was unprofessional conduct by an outdoor practitioner which will not be taken lightly. and assured the people that the visual aesthetic of Rivers State is of major priority to the agency.
“Let it be known that RISSA is not responsible for the regulation of contents on billboards, as that is the sole responsibility of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).
“RISAA is mandated by law to regulate billboard structures in Rivers State”, he said.