WIKE HAILS RESIDENT DOCTORS FOR SUSPENDING STRIKE, SAYS DEMANDS HAVE BEEN APPROVED
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has commended the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA) for suspending its indefinite strike, describing the move as a patriotic decision taken in the interest of residents.
Wike gave the commendation on Friday during the flag-off of the Northern Parkway construction project from Ring Road II to Ring Road III.
“First of all, let me thank the resident doctors of the FCT who have seen reasons to call off their strike, for the interest of the FCT and the nation. That is the way it’s supposed to be,” Wike said.
He also praised the efforts of the Chief of Staff, FCT Civil Service Commission Chairman, Acting Head of Service, and the Special Adviser (Admin), for working with the doctors to ensure the strike was suspended.
The doctors, who practise across 14 district and general hospitals under the FCTA, had embarked on strike last week to press home their demands, which included settlement of salary arrears dating back to 2023, recruitment of new staff, payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, and arrears from the 25–35 per cent upward review of CONMESS.
Earlier on Friday, the association announced that members would resume work on Monday, September 22, at 8 a.m., after the intervention of the Senate Committee on FCT. The President of ARD-FCTA, Dr George Ebong, confirmed that none of their demands had yet been met but said assurances were given for dialogue with the FCT Minister.
However, Wike maintained that virtually all the doctors’ demands had already been approved.
“Before I came here, virtually all their requests I have signed. All we have asked for is 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,” he said.
The doctors had also demanded clear timelines for skipping and conversion processes, settlement of accumulated arrears, correction of erroneous salary deductions, prompt promotion exercises, payment of outstanding hazard allowance arrears, and renovation of FCTA hospitals to global standards.
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