The Executive Chairman, Ikosi Isheri LCDA, area of Lagos State, Mrs Samiat Bada, on Tuesday claimed that news going round that she forced her staff to purchase N650,000.00 fabrics for her forthcoming 50th birthday.
The council boss, while addressing newsmen at the secretariat on Tuesday, described the claims as false.
She added that the allegations were the handiwork of her political enemies in a bid to blackmail her, tarnish her reputation and create unnecessary division within her administration.
Her words, “I stand before you today to address the recent allegations that have been circulating on the social media in which the writer claimed that I imposed a N650,000.00 Aso Ebi (traditional fabrics) on my staff.
“I want to categorically state that these allegations are completely false and baseless. Since assuming office, I have prioritized the welfare and working conditions of my staff.
“I have worked tirelessly to improve their working environment and ensure that they feel valued and appreciated.
“One of the first actions I took was to increase their monthly welfare package from N400,000 to N1.4 million paid through NULGE Ikosi-isheri Branch.
“I believe the increment is even a significant increase that will further reflects their dedication and hard work to the development of the council.”
Additionally, the council boss disclosed that she recently increased the welfare bonus of staff members from N4,000 to N10,000.
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She said the gesture is aimed at acknowledging their commitment and motivation to their work.
Bada added that she also procured some new staff bus to enhance their convenience and transportation to their working place.
She said in spite these positive developments and efforts to uplift the working conditions of her staff, it was, however, disheartening to see such allegations against her.
Bada, however, admitted that her friends and associates from abroad were the ones that decided to choose the N650,000 fabrics among themselves to celebrate her birthday coming up in December 2023.
The chairman said there was no formal invitation to her staff, forcing them to contribute financially towards her 50th birthday celebration.
She said appropriate legal route would be carried out to unravel this scheme and ensure that those responsible face the consequences of their actions.
Bada urged the media practitioners to exercise due diligence and report facts, not fiction.
Earlier, an online medium reported a petition filed by Concerned Ikosi Isheri LCDA Residents against Bada of selling N650,000.00 fabrics for her birthday at this difficult time.
The group had allegedly accused her of making it compulsory for councillors, supervisors and workers to buy the fabrics, among other allegations levelled against her.