Govt disowns fake Fashola message on Facebook

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola

A message credited to the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, on Facebook has been described as fake by the government.

The message had called on interested parties to apply for soft loans for development of agro and commercial business.

It read, “Disbursement of Subsidy Dividend (SURE-P)… Subsidy proceed is available for agro and commercial business…Apply for soft loan with no collateral, zero per cent interest rate and flexible terms.”

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Hakeem Bello, said Fashola never issued such statement.

He added that the state government did not conduct its affairs on Facebook, explaining that such was meant to defraud Lagosians.

Bello said government businesses were conducted on “authentic” websites and other social media sites managed by agencies of government.

He urged the residents of the state to be wary of such scam.

The statement read in part, “Some unscrupulous persons are using the photographs of Governor Babatunde Fashola, and ascribing fictitious statements to him on fake Facebook accounts aimed at defrauding innocent citizens. Lagosians are urged to be wary of such scams.

“The call became necessary in view of the activities of scammers who have been issuing out series of Facebook comments and information in the name of the governor with the intention of duping unsuspecting members of the public.

“Some conmen have, through Facebook, been urging citizens to apply for some existing government utilities meant to benefit the public.

“One of such information was titled, ‘Disbursement of Subsidy Dividend (SURE-P)’, purported to have been issued by the governor is informing ‘citizens that subsidy proceed is available for agro and commercial business’, and asking them to ‘apply for soft loans with no collateral, zero per cent interest rate and flexible terms’.

“Government business such as home ownership by mortgage and pilgrimages are conducted on the authentic websites and other social media outlets managed by agencies of the state government.”

PUNCH