The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, says the Federal Government will begin the payment of allowances of striking resident doctors on Tuesday (today).
Ngige disclosed this on Monday night on a live TV interview.
He urged the striking doctors to be patient with government.
The minister said the Federal Government has the money to pay their allowances, noting that government was working out modalities for payment.
The National Association of Resident Doctors, had on Monday commenced a nationwide strike after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum.
National President of NARD, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba, had in a circular last week said the association found it necessary to take “the painful decision” following the inability of the Federal Government to meet its demands.
Speaking on government’s effort to resolve the issue, Ngige, said, “We have been working on the payment modalities in the past six weeks. The payment of their allowances will begin on Tuesday.
“To make it a very serious commitment, we scheduled a meeting between themselves, myself, Federal Ministry of Health and the Office of the Accountant General and we all agreed that payment should begin on Monday as result of the public holiday.
“But I am surprised that payment has not begun.
“I don’t like people giving excuses for jobs not done. These are things that can be handled very easily.
“I am hopeful that if the payment starts on Tuesday since it is an electronic injection of funds , they can finish the payment by Thursday or Friday this week.”
Ngige noted that meetings were ongoing with the doctors and other health workers to address their grievances, stressing that government has the money to pay all their allowances.
“Is not as if the money is not there; the government has the money to pay them.
“The money is there. The President graciously approved the payment of their allowances about more than a month ago.
“It is part of the N500b COVID-19 intervention fund.
“The money is there already. The only thing is just the modalities that are being worked out.
“You know that when money is involved, there are different government ministries that are involved as well.
“We have been working on the payment mortalities in the past six weeks”, he said.
On shortage of PPE, Ngige said, ” We have had an agreement with the doctors that PPE be provided for them.
“But the doctors are not the only ones working in the health sector.
“We have other health workers such as intensive care unit biotechnologists, nurses, mortuary attendants, those working in accident and emergency that require PPE as well.
“Now, when these PPEs are brought, they are given to hospital management to distribute according to needs.
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“Yes, doctors are on the front line in the fight against COVID-19 but there are other health workers on the front line also.
“There are nurses on the front line. All these people are protected and we know that there are shortage of PPEs all over the world.”
The minister added, “Government is doing its best.
“The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 is doing its best and we have told local industries in the country to manufacture PPEs.
“All hands are on deck. The doctors will get whatever that is appropriate for them.”
