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Laos: Advertising signs need permits: Vientiane authorities
Vientiane’s Department of Public Works and Transport is calling on the owners of advertising signs, ATM booths and telephone lines in the capital to ask for permission before their erection.
According to a notice issued by the department under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport recently, the owners of such equipment must seek permits from the department before installation.
Permits running for the calendar year have to be renewed with authorities annually and items illegally set up will be dismantled by the involved sector.
Advertising hoardings greater than 8 square metres need permits from the Department of Public Works and Transport of Vientiane while smaller signs need permits from the Office of Public Works and Transport in the districts.
Vientiane authorities are continuing to crack down on the arbitrary use of pavements for parking and vendors selling goods, plus dismantling shops and advertising signs that are unsightly or impeding passage along 21 main roads in the capital.
The campaign to clear unauthorised structures and activities started on Souphanouvong Road and is continuing in a bid to tidy up the capital’s roadsides and reduce traffic congestion.
Officials intend to put a stop to illegal parking on pavements and other undesirable uses, as well as remove debris along pavements outside construction sites.
Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department is strictly policing illegal parking and people selling food and goods plus footpaths, along making sure any encroaching objects are taken down.
An official in charge of Department of Public Works and Transport of Vientiane, Mr Viengngeun Sisombath told Vientiane Times yesterday “Currently, the dismantling of unsightly shops and advertising signs that are impeding passage along Lane Xang Avenue and Souphanouvong Road is nearly complete.”
“Then, we will continue to the other roads of Setthathirath, Samsenthai, Chao Fa Ngum, Kaysone Phomvihane, Khouvieng, Thadeua, Kamphengmeuang, Nongbone and so on,” he said. The work to clear unauthorised structures, dismantle shops and advertising signs started in the middle of January and is expected to finish by the end of the year, according to officials.
Authorities have vowed to issue fines to anyone who tries to illegally encroach in the future onto the pavements of major roads in the city.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_Advertising_101.php