Kayode Shopekan
Labour Minister, Chris Ngige has said the Federal Government was determined to end the ongoing nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
Ngige who stated this during the Quarterly Nigerian Health Commissioners Forum held in Abuja on Friday, said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was doing its best to cater for doctors.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe minister assured that the government will end the ongoing nationwide strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). Ngige said he thought doctors in Nigeria were playing a prank when they embarked on an industrial action.
Narrating how the situation degenerated, he said in September 2020, NARD issued a notice of strike while asking for Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).
The doctors wanted N542,000 each to cover the cost of books and journals for a particular examination, transportation and lodging for three days.
Ngige added that since the supplementary budget was being put together then, the doctors’ demand was included, fulfilled and they called off the strike.
The minister said by March 2021, they listed other things, and complained about Residency Training.
“They went on strike on April 1. I thought it was April fool until April 2 when we didn’t see them at work.
“I told them that, they didn’t give the mandatory 21 days notice to their employers who have written to me to complain.”
Ngige disclosed that the 2021 Residency Training Fund was eventually captured in the supplementary budget, adding that the funds are now available.
The federal government also approved N11.3 billion for Group Life Insurance in 2020 and renewed it in 2021, he disclosed.
The minister added that government met severally with NMA-JOHESU joint committee on hazard allowance until the unions disagreed and requested separate negotiations.
