We are not backing down until FG yields to our demands, say resident doctors

By Doosuur Iwambe

National Association of Resident Doctors Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has insisted that it will not back down on the industrial action it embarked upon until all its demands are met.

Speaking during an exclusive telephone interview with the Daily Times, President of the association Dr Roland Aigbovo said the workers’ decision to down tools will only be reversed if the FCTA meets their demands.

He however disclosed the association’s plans to call for an emergency general meeting to chart the way forward.

While revealing that the strike was inevitable, he said that the decision was informed by the insensitivity displayed by the Office of the Permanent Secretary, FCT and widespread agitations among members of the association in the various FCT hospitals and isolation/treatment centres.

Dr Aigbovo who disclosed that the association have the constitutional mandate of 48hours to call for the meeting said, he was optimistic that the Federal government will pay heed to their demands.

Commenting on reports that the minister has approved payment of allowance to some staff he said, “we were informed with evidence that the Honourable Minister of FCT has approved the payment of the said allowance to both the FCTA staffs and non FCTA staffs working in the Isolation/Treatment centres and hopefully, we expect the payment to be effected as soon as possible following which an emergency general meeting will be conveyed to decide on the next line of action.

“Prior to this time, our strike action normally will not be effective on the first day but due to the lack of motivation of our members and indeed the entire health workers, the effect of the industrial action was felt from the first day.

“I want to appreciate the honourable minister of FCT for approving the payment of the Covid-19 hazard and inducement allowance for all cadre of workers and for always putting the health of FCT residents into perspective”.

The ARD FCTA had earlier today commenced an indefinite strike action to press home their demands which include but not limited to the non-payment of Covid-19 Hazard and inducement allowance and the non-implementation of variation of the 2018 promotion exercise.

The association observed that the decision followed the insensitivity displayed by the Office of the Permanent Secretary, FCT and wide spread agitations among members of the association in the various FCT hospitals and isolation/treatment centres.

Dr. Aigbovo, who said that the association regrets any inconveniences this decision might cause the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the general public needing healthcare delivery during this period, implored the FCT administration to also look into the other myriads of problems raised in their earlier communication to the administration.

He said that the association was left with no other choice than to embark on strike after the FCTA failed to pay them their COVID-19 allowances.

He added that there was also some other financial obligations that the FCTA had failed to meet up with coupled with some administrative anomalies.