WIKE CHALLENGES DOCTORS: “IF YOU GO ON STRIKE, I WON’T PAY YOU WHEN YOU RESUME”

Babatunji Wusu –

Resident doctors in Abuja have received a warning from Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), not to threaten to engage in strike action.

Due to the Federal Government’s refusal to comply with the requests of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), there have been intermittent industrial actions.

Among many other things, the doctors want the Consolidated Medical wage Structure (CONMESS) reviewed upward immediately, the immediate payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and the reimbursement of all wage arrears owed to their members since 2015.

The doctors also seek immediate mass recruitment of clinical staff in hospitals, as well as the removal of bureaucratic barriers to replacing doctors and nurses who leave the system promptly.

They also want all state governments and private tertiary health institutions where residency training is done to conduct an early review of hazard allowance.

Wike told resident doctors in Abuja that they are allowed to submit proposals, and the Federal Government will look into them.

The Minister emphasized his distaste with industrial action, claiming that if doctors went on strike, he would make more money.

Wike stated that he will not pay doctors who go on strike, and that he is prepared to fight them in court.

“Make your recommendations, and we’ll see which ones we can and cannot do,” he said. Please do not threaten me with a strike because I dislike it. When you go on strike, I save money; even if you return, I will not pay; we will settle in court.

“It’s not about promises but the reality on ground, I don’t believe in theory.”