The Lagos State Government has debunked an
allegation credited to a former Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs. Kofoworola
Bucknor-Akerele that her entitlements were still being withheld, describing the
allegation as incorrect and misleading.
The former
deputy governor had granted an interview to the New Telegraph newspaper last
week that all her entitlements had never been given to her.
Commissioner
for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, in a statement said
government had duly paid all the pension entitlements to Bucknor-Akerele and
that all other entitlements due to her were being met on a monthly basis.
Ibirogba
explained that the government was compelled to react to the former Deputy
Governor’s statement simply to set the records straight in the interest of the
State and posterity.
According to
him, one Toyota Prado Jeep and one Pickup truck were recently delivered to the
former Deputy Governor as part of her entitlement.
He, however,
pointed out that the area of contention with the former deputy governor was her
insistence on the monetization of services rendered by personal staff employed
by her, among other demands.
The
commissioner said Bucknor-Akerele’s demand for another set of vehicles as
backup and replacement of all the vehicles every three years, “notwithstanding
the current means of Government”, was unacceptable.
He said
government decided to issue a release as a means “to set the records straight,”
adding that, “as outstanding issues are currently before a court of law, we are
unable to comment further.”