The Abia State Government has disbursed over ₦20 million in compensation to the victims of a billboard collapse in Aba in May.
NEWSMAXNG reported a privately owned billboard had collapsed around may and led to the death of a tricyclist while others were injured.
The incident happened around the Salad Market, Aba, on May 28, 2025 as shop owners and commercials cyclists were injured, too.
In compensation for their losses and injuries, Governor Alex Otti directed the state government to take full responsibility for the victims’ hospital bill and directed the Abia State Signage and Advertising Agency to conduct an immediate audit of all billboards in the state and ensure compliance with safety regulations to prevent future occurrences.
The compensation was paid to nine individuals through ABSAA, leaving the wife of the deceased tricyclist with ₦9.6 million, while other tricyclists got ₦1.6 million each and shop owners ₦500,000 each.
During the presentation of cheques at Government House, Umuahia, the state capital on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, Dr Obioma Nwaogbe said;
“There are about five tricycle owners, so each of them will have ₦1.6 million. Then the old tricycle will be retrieved from the abandoned site and handed over to them.
“Then the two men whose shops were affected will be given ₦500,000 each. The wife of the deceased, Chioma Destiny, will be given ₦8 million to enable her start a business or make an investment.
“₦1.6 million will also be given to her because her husband’s tricycle was among those damaged, and the tricycle will also be returned to her. That is what the government has done to help the affected people go back to their businesses.”
He thanked the state governor for approving the funds for the compensation as he urged the family and relatives of the deceased not to tamper with the money given to the widow, stressing that it was meant for her business and for training the children.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ABSAA, Mrs Victoria Onwubiko, noted that following the incident, the agency and the Ministry of Transport held extensive engagements with the owners of the affected billboard, who accepted responsibility for the damages and committed to compensating the victims.
The payment of the compensation was made upfront, according to the ASBSAA boss.
He added that; “This action demonstrates the government’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of every resident. Today’s payment is not just compensation; it is a statement of accountability.
“Moving forward, we are putting improved processes in place to ensure proper standards for outdoor advertising and signage across the state. This is part of a bigger vision for a more organised, safer, and aesthetically enhanced environment. The new Abia we are building values order, partnership, and people.”
Onwubiko also disclosed that the agency had commissioned an audit of all high-rise billboards across the state to ensure they are structured well while reaffirming the government’s commitment to prioritizing the safety of the citizens as well as “the integrity of the environment in which we all live and work.
“Step by step, we are strengthening the regulatory framework to prevent a repeat of such incidents,” she added.
Responding, the Chairman of ASTOPU, Azubuike Victor, who is also one of the victims and a tricyclist, appreciated Governor Otti for his kind gesture, describing it as unprecedented.
The widow of the deceased victim, Mrs Chioma Destiny, thanked the governor for the ₦9.6 million, stating that she would invest the money in business and use the proceeds to train her children.
