New gateway signage welcoming people to Enniskillen and Omagh have been installed at more than £13,000 apiece.
The total cost for the eleven welcome signs was £145,000, significantly less than what Fermanagh and Omagh District Council had initially budgeted for the signage.
Last year it was revealed that the new signs, which had been labelled as ‘less than impressive’, were to cost the ratepayer £228,000.
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While this figure has been reduced significantly, the approximate cost for each of the signs sits at £13,181.
The signage has been installed as part of the new ‘Place’ brands for both main towns in the council area.
The local council said the tender for the project was awarded to the most 'economically advantageous’ submission.
“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has developed and installed Gateway Signage for Omagh and Enniskillen as part of the roll out of the new Place brands for both main towns that were developed through a co-design process with business, community, residents and key stakeholders,” a council spokesperson said.
“Ten of the eleven signs have been installed. The remaining sign, which includes additional public art features, will be located at East Bridge Street in Enniskillen in the next few weeks.
“The gateways signage aims to enhance arrival points in Enniskillen and Omagh and is one of a number of funded projects that have been completed to support the urban town centres.”
Independent councillor Eamon Keenan thinks the signage is a waste of ratepayers' money.
"I think they are a waste of money, there was large fees paid to consultants as well to come up with the logos, which were an E for Enniskillen and an O for Omagh
"At the time in the council meeting I said that instead of wasting thousands of pounds on consultants they could have asked a local P1 class to come up with something as an E and an O isn’t exactly rocket science."
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