BREAKING: FG RELEASES N4.5 BN HAZARD ALLOWANCE TO STRIKING DOCTORS
The Federal Government has released N4.5 bn to 31 federal hospitals and medical centres in the country as hazard allowance.
Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, told newsmen, on Friday, June 19.
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), had on Monday, June 15, embarked on an indefinite strike due to the failure of the Federal Government to fulfil its promises on payment of hazard allowances to its members.
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NARD also faulted FG failure to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for members handling COVID-19 cases, which has resulted in the death of some health workers.
The NARD, had earlier threatened to embark on an indefinite strike which takes effect from Monday, June 15, 2020.
Speaking on the development, Ngige said the Federal Government has fulfilled its promises by paying the health workers their allowances and the arrears of April and May.
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"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 specialist hospitals of the Federal Government service and they have expended close to N4.5 billion on the payment because we are paying them the arrears of April and May.
"The payment for June will also be done immediately these ones are sorted out.
"Again, it is important to report to you that in consonance with what he is saying, we have arranged a meeting for them to speak to the Nigerian Governors' Forum because you don't mix apples and oranges.
"The issue of health is on the concurrent list, so the Federal Government will do its own and the state governments will be expected to do their own. Some of their grievances border on what they feel the state governments have not done," the Minister revealed.
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