Regulation of Mobile Advertisement Bye-Law 2016

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 7 and the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other relevant sections of the Local Government Act, Laws of the FCT Abuja, 2006 and other enabling laws, Bwari Area Council hereby promulgates the following Bye-Law.

As from the commencement of this Bye-Law, no person or company shall maintain within the Area Council any branded vehicle having on it any sticker, logo or personalized painting and sign which constitutes advertisement, without first obtaining a permit from the Area Council. In the same vein, any operational vehicle registered in the name of an organization and being used to aid income-generating activities shall also obtain a permit.

Who Must Obtain a Permit

Any vehicle registered in the name of a company or person resident in the Area Council, or who carries on business within Bwari Area Council and found anywhere within the Area Council, shall be deemed to be maintained within the Area Council and is required to obtain a permit.

Permit Issuance

A permit issued under this Bye-Law shall be signed by the Chief Revenue Officer to the Area Council (who shall also be the Secretary of the Internal Revenue General Committee) or any agent appointed by the Chairman of the Area Council.

Additional Permits

Upon payment of the prescribed fees, a mobile environmental sanitation and hackney permit shall also be obtained and shall be included in the documents for mobile advertisement.

Renewal and Arrears

Any permit issued shall expire on the 31st day of December of the year of issue, and shall be renewed annually upon payment of the prescribed fees. The Area Council shall have powers to charge and collect arrears of the preceding year together with interest assessed at ten percent (10%).

The Area Council shall issue a 14-day demand notice on the person or company liable to obtain a permit and await the expiration of the notice before prosecution. Failure to comply after receiving the demand notice shall attract payment of twice the amount on the Demand Notice.

Any agent or authorized person may between the hours of 8am and 6pm from Monday to Saturday enter into any premises within the Area Council to ascertain compliance with this Bye-Law, and shall have power to arrange before the court any person who contravenes the provisions of this Bye-Law.

The Court shall have powers to order any vehicle in respect of which default has been made to be impounded until the permit is obtained and any fine imposed is paid.

• Any company or person who refuses or neglects to obtain a permit shall be liable upon conviction to a fine equivalent to three times the fee payable or imprisonment not exceeding six months or both.
• Any permit shall not be transferable. Any person who transfers a permit or mutilates it is liable upon conviction to a fine equivalent to three times the fees paid or payable or imprisonment not exceeding six months or both.
• Any person who obstructs, hinders, molests, or assaults any person authorized by the Area Council shall be liable upon conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both.

The Magistrate Court of any grade shall have jurisdiction. Where an offence is committed by a body corporate, any officer of that body (director, manager, accountant, secretary, etc.) purporting to act in such capacity is guilty of the offence unless he proves the act took place without his knowledge, consent, or connivance.

This Bye-Law shall be referred to as the Regulation of Mobile Advertisement Bye-Law (No. 6) 2016.