As a result of Senate Committee on FCT intervention that led to the suspension of the lingering strike action by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) under the Federal Capital Territory Administration yesterday. The association cried out on Monday over the government’s downfall to implement their demands.
According to the association they are becoming frustrated and losing patience that can lead to a stringent action if their demands are not met urgently.
Recall that the industrial action wich called off on September 19 but the FCT administration failed to address their concerns noting that none of the agreed actions have been implemented.
The association is seeking improved welfare for their members and basic hospital infrastructure such as prompt payment of entitlements, which they say are essential to sustaining healthcare delivery in the nation’s capital.
The doctors are soliciting for the payment of outstanding salary arrears owed to 28 doctors since 2023, ranging from one to six months. They also want the immediate recruitment of new staff, settlement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and payment of arrears arising from the 25–35 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.
In addition, they are asking for clear timelines for completing skipping and conversion processes for all members, along with the settlement of all accumulated arrears. They further called on the FCTA to address continuous erroneous deductions from members’ salaries and to rectify the irregular and erratic salary payment pattern.
They also demanded the conversion of post-Part II Fellows to the Consultant cadre within six months of passing, as well as documented timelines for promotion exercises with full arrears paid.
Other demands include payment of wage award arrears, renovation and equipping of FCTA hospitals to world-class standards, payment of outstanding hazard allowance arrears, and settlement of salary arrears owed to newly employed external residents who are currently owed three to four months’ pay.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had on September 19, during the flag off of the construction of the Northern Parkway from Ring Road II to Ring Road III, said he had approved every demand made by the doctors, adding that there was no need for blackmail, as all parties were working in the interest of the residents and the nation at large.
“Before I came here, virtually all their requests, I have signed. So all we have asked for is to give us ample opportunity to dialogue with you; there is no need to blackmail anybody. We are working for the interest of the citizens and residents of Abuja, and the entire Nigeria,” Wike stated.
Speaking to the the President of the association, Dr George Ebong on Monday he stressed that none of their out cried has been executed.
“The FCTA has failed to meet the demands despite intervention by the Senate Committee on FCT affairs and Ancillary Matters, and the fact that the Minister had approved that the demands should be implemented.
“The 28 affected doctors have not yet been paid their arrears, and the Medical Residency Training Funds have not been paid. If the Minister said he had approved our demands, we need to know what is delaying the implementation of the demands. We may be forced to take decisive action if the demands are not met soon,” Ebong said.
Several attempts to Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike at the time of filing this report was not successful.