Following the death of five persons from electrocution while trying to mount a church billboard under a high tension cable in Rumuosi axis of Obio/Akpor council in Rivers State, the state government has sealed the church involved while passing a serious warning to others.
Port Harcourt Spectator reports that five persons were killed while four others were severely injured on Monday while attempting to mount a billboard in the area.
The metal billboard, which they were trying to mount, had touched a high tension wire, causing the electrocution.
Angered by the incident, the Rivers State Government, through the Signage and Advertising Agency, RSSAA, sealed the premises of the church while the assistant pastor was arrested by the police.
The state police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko who confirmed the arrest revealed that investigation into the incident was still ongoing.
Tony Okeah, Managing Director of RSSAA, also confirmed that the church and the nine people, who attempted to mount the Billboard did not seek approval from the agency before the act.
“They do not have any approval from the agency. We have spent time warning people against illegal activities such as this. We regret what has happened but this will serve as a deterrent that people should learn how to do things the proper way.
“The agency regulates what billboard structures should be erected where and whether it will cause visual blind or accident and all such consequences. We go out every day to remove illegal structures because of where they are erected and because of the low standard,” he told journalists.
He warned churches and other institutions erecting billboards without the agency’s authorization to desist from such illegal acts as anyone arrested will not be spared.
