The Federal government says it has disbursed the sum of N4.5bn to 31 Teaching Hospital across Nigeria to settle the resident doctors.
Dr. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and productivity disclosed this to newsmen at the Presidential villa Abuja shortly after he briefed President Buhari on the ongoing industrial action embarked by the Resident Doctor.
The Minister who addresses state House correspondents in the company of Minister of Health, Osagie Ohanire, and the State Minister of Labour, Festus Keyamo, said the payment was for the arrears of April and May hazard and inducement allowances.
He revealed shortly, the allowance for June would be made available.
In his statement which partly said,
“Just this morning, before we went to see Mr. President, the Ministry of Finance reported that as at this morning, 3 am, they have paid the allowances for hazard and inducement to 31 teaching and Federal Medical Centres and special hospitals of the federal government service and they have expended close to N4.5 billion in the payment because we are paying them the arrears of April and May.
He added, “The payment for June would also be done immediately when these are soughed out.”
According to him, it is important to report to them that to corroborate his statement and action they have arranged a meeting for them to speak with the governor’s forum because, in his capacity, he cannot speak for the governors.
He continued, “The issue of Health is on the concurrent list, so the Federal Government will do its own and the state government will be expected to do their own.”
The Minister explained that most of the doctor’s agitations were bordered on what they feel the state governors have failed to provide.
Resident under the auspices of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) had on Monday commenced a nationwide strike.
The Association notified their action through a communiqué issued after they had a virtual National Executive Council meeting where they resolved to proceed on industrial action from 12:01 on Monday with the exemption of those attending to COVID-19 patients at designated isolation centers.
