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ACCA Gets Cracking On Illegal Signboards
By Azlan Othman & Azaraimy H

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Advertisements Control Competent Authority (ACCA) got cracking by removing public advertisements that violated regulations following the enactment of the regulation beginning yesterday.

The first spot which came under the scrutiny of the staff of the Department of Town and Country Planning and the Public Works Department was at the T-junction in Jln Kilanas where at least three signboards were brought down by advertising company workers who had erected them. The scaffoldings were also removed.

For all approved signboards, the workers affixed reference numbers to the billboards.

Display of public advertisements including electronic billboards, signboards or sky signs will not be allowed effective July 1, 2008 without prior approval from the ACCA.

The Department of Town and Country Planning recently announced the legal framework for the control of

advertisement displays with the enactment of the regulation effective July 1, 2008.

The control of advertisements for the whole of Brunei, with the exception of Municipal Board areas in each district, comes under the jurisdiction of the Advertisements Control Competent Authority.

Those who violate these regulations will face a penalty not exceeding $10,000, while ACCA has powers to remove, issue notice and execute enforcement on those found in violation of the regulations.

Advertisers have a field day placing display signs especially during the grand sale period. Sometimes, it poses danger to motorists especially when razor thin wires, that are hardly visible, are used. Many complaints were also received from motorists who lamented that some of these advertisements blocked their views.

The declarations of both the advertisement development control area and the establishment of ACCA have been made under Section 3(1) and Section 4(1) of the 1972 Act respectively.

Under Section 3 of the new regulations, no person shall exhibit or cause to be exhibited any advertisement, electronic billboard, signboard or sky sign without prior written approval from the ACCA.

Thus, all advertising agencies and qualified persons are advised to submit their advertisements and signage applications for areas that fall under the ACCA jurisdiction to the chairman of ACCA, whose secretariat is the Department of Town and Country Planning.

It is the responsibility of all the advertising agencies to make sure that the reference number, approval and expiry dates and name of the advertising companies are stated on the advertisements especially for banners, billboards and sky signs before they are displayed. This is required by the authority for monitoring and enforcement purposes.

Under Section 6 of the regulation, a fee based on the size and type of advertisement is charged for every application that requires approval.

Advertising agencies are also requested to submit their company profile together with the names of their submitting persons representing their company to the Department of Town and Country Planning for record and communication purposes.

Advertising agencies are also advised to apply and get approval for any illegal existing signs and advertisements erected and displayed before action is taken. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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